Pune: DRI Seizes Red Sanders Worth ₹7.9 Crore, Five Arrested
In a major crackdown, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Pune intercepted a crime syndicate attempting to smuggle red sanders out of India by declaring the cargo as granite marble slabs. The operation, based on intelligence inputs, led to the seizure of red sanders valued at approximately ₹7.9 crore under the Customs Act, 1962.
The contraband, a protected species under the CITES convention, was being loaded into a container at Nhava Sheva port in Navi Mumbai. Upon inspection, 6 tons of red sanders were discovered concealed behind polished granite slabs and cement bricks.
Follow-up actions conducted in Ahmednagar, Nashik, and Hyderabad resulted in the seizure of an additional 2 metric tonnes of red sanders from a Nashik warehouse. The seized wood at Nhava Sheva had also been stored at this location before its attempted export.
The operation led to the successful interception of the importer-exporter code (IEC) holder and the transporters involved. Five members of the smuggling cartel, including the exporter, the commission broker, the godown manager, and the transporter, were arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
In an official statement, DRI emphasized its commitment to safeguarding environmental security by curbing the illegal smuggling of the country’s natural resources.
