Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said red sanders smuggling has declined by 70 per cent over the past two years, crediting stricter enforcement, inter-state coordination and the Anti-Smuggling Task Force, while directing officials to target the masterminds behind smuggling networks.
Delhi Police STF seized 10 tonnes of red sandalwood smuggled from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, and arrested two suspects. Authorities said further investigation is ongoing, with a detailed press briefing scheduled later at Delhi Police headquarters.
The deputy CM sought implementation of the recommendation of the Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) report that the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department be designated as the nodal agency for managing the auctioning of seized Red Sanders
