DRI seize 14 tonnes of red sanders logs

Fourteen tonnes of red sanders logs were recently seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence here, officials said today.

Following a tip-off, DRI sleuths found the red sanders logs concealed in a consignment declared as 'granite slabs' for Dubai, an official release said.

In a similar case, in June, officials seized 12.41 tonnes of red sanders concealed inside a consignment declared as wheat flour, for Malaysia.

DRI officials in the last three months have seized about 56 tonnes of red sanders logs valued at approximately Rs 22 crore, the release said.

In the last financial year, the agency seized 187.6 tonnes of red sanders logs.

Smugglers take the risk of exporting the protected wood due to high demand in China for its medicinal purposes and also for making furniture, musical instruments and handicrafts.