M'lore: Intelligence Authorities Break Illegal Export of Sandalwood
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Apr 1: In a major operation, Directorate of Revenue and Intelligence (DRI) authorities have been successful in breaking illegal supply of sandalwood in container destined abroad by ocean going vessels, on Tuesday, April 1.
The raid was conducted at New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) yard on Tuesday, when the local consignor tried to export sandalwood worth Rs 5 crore, on the consignment note prescribed ‘container loaded with tiles’. The container which was concealed with sandalwood was belonged to Gurpur Obeduallah and Sons while Hassan Haji and Sons, were the local shipping and forwarding agents for this shipment, sources confirmed.
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Actually, the license was issued to export tiles abroad in containers while the accused parties were involved in exporting sandalwood by concealing the underneath the few layers of tiles, by hoodwinking the customs in clearing their container. Moreover, it was for the first time that this malpractice has come to light at NMPT.
NMPT is one among the key port located on western India which was provided with high security owing to the threat of terrorists. It is ironical that such a big malpractice was held here amidst high security.
On the other hand, such a huge scam has come to light for the first time here. DRI and customs authorities have initiated probe to identify the people involved in this scam and the channels involved in. Sources also suspected that this illegal network has been active since many years and one such case has come to light very late.