Red sanders smuggling, which is rampant in Seshachalam and Nallamala forests comprising Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamayya, Kadapa, Nellore, Prakasam and Nandyal districts, witnessed a sharp decline in the year 2025, while the conviction rate has improved significantly.
Interestingly, the Red Sanders Anti Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) has also initiated attachment of properties of potential smugglers, and is currently devising a system to ensure its fool-proof implementation.
The year saw 32 cases being disposed of by courts, 25 convictions, four acquittals and three abated cases. “We achieved a conviction rate of 87.5%, the highest since the inception of RSASTF, which is attributed to quality investigation, timely filing of chargesheets and close coordination with prosecution,” said Superintendent of Police (SP) L. Subbarayudu
Addressing a media conference here on Saturday, along with Superintendent of Police (RSASTF) P. Srinivas, and Chief Conservator of Forest C. Selvam, he said the 10 most-wanted smugglers were arrested from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and most vulnerable places like Katigenahalli, Sarjapura and Malur in Bengaluru and rural taluks.
PD Act
The department also invoked Preventive Detention (PD) Act in two cases this year against notorious smugglers.
Several major inter-State operations were carried out in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and New Delhi, where precious logs worth ₹16.5 crore were seized. “We managed to disrupt long-distance smuggling routes and supply chains,” Mr. Subbarayudu said.
The department also issued 212 Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) and arrested 52 absconding criminals by continuously raiding their residences through geo-mapping.
Divisional Forest officers V. Sai Baba (Tirupati), K. Ramakonda Reddy (flying squad), Additional SP J. Kulasekhar, Deputy Superintendents V. Srinivasa Reddy and Md. Shareef (both RSASTF) and Assistant Conservator J. Srinivas took part.
Published – December 28, 2025 07:04 pm IST
