Two arrested for smuggling teak timber in Asifabad

Asifabad Forest Range Officer Govind Singh Sardar reported that Kumsoth Krishna from Metpalli and Banoth Shankar from Sarwaipet village were apprehended while attempting to smuggle teak timber in a car. The arrests occurred during a joint operation conducted by forest department staff from the Asifabad and Kerameri ranges. The two suspects attempted to flee but were detained.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Two persons were arrested for allegedly smuggling teak timber at Dorli area in Danthanpalli village in Asifabad mandal on Friday. Twelve teak logs worth Rs 56,236, car and two-wheeler were seized from them.

Asifabad Forest Range Officer Govind Singh Sardar said that Kumsoth Krishna from Metpalli and Banoth Shankar of Sarwaipet village were apprehended while smuggling the teak timber in a car, during a joint operation held by staffers of the forest department of Asifabad and Kerameri ranges. The two accused persons tried to flee from the spot, but were taken into custody.

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On being interrogated, the two confessed to committing the crime to make a fast buck by felling teak trees and to sell the timber to potential buyers for quite a long time. They admitted to transporting the timber from Movad to Mandamarri by car by hoodwinking officials of the forest department.

Forest section officers Mahender, Vijay, Sai, forest beat officers Prakash, Sadiq, Venkatesh and Swapna took part in the operation.