Police seized 300 kg red sanders in Tirupattur

The Vaniyambadi Taluk police on Tuesday seized 23 wooden logs of red sanders that weighed over 300 kg and worth around eight lakh from a locked house at Vallipattu village near Vaniyambadi town in Tirupattur. 

Police said that K. Govindan, 32 and his brother K. Prabhu, 28 have been involved in farming in the village.

The duo got into an argument and exchanged blows when neighbours and relatives pacified them. Based on the alert, police came to the spot. During an inquiry, police found the ancestral house of the duo had remained locked for many years due to a dispute between brothers.

When police opened the house, they found 23 wooden logs of red sanders in the house. Initial inquiry revealed that Prabhu was involved in illegal sale of red sanders between Chhittoor and Chennai. The house was used as a godown to store the logs before the consignment was transported elsewhere.

Police informed the Forest Department to assess the nature and quality of seized wooden logs. A case was registered by Vaniyambadi Taluk police. As per norms, the seized red sanders were sent to the government timber unit in Tirupattur to make incense sticks. Special teams were formed to nab Prabhu, who is absconding. A probe is underway.