DRI begins hunt to nab kingpins

KOCHI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence(DRI) has launched a move to nab the kingpins of the red sandalwood smuggling racket which is operating from all major ports in the country. The DRI released the names of two accused who attempted to smuggle a container with 13.5 tonnes of red sandalwood from Vallarpadam ICTT last week.The suspects have been identified as Shahul Hamid, a Chennai native, and Shafeeq, hailing from Thalassery, operating the racket from Dubai. The DRI has started the procedures to nab the duo with the help of Interpol, the officials said. A highly-placed DRI official told Express that they would able to track the operations of the racket following the seizure of 13.5 tonnes of red sandalwood from a container at Vallarpadam ICTT and the subsequent arrest of three persons including Anil Kumar who was also active in the racket. “The racket transported red sandalwood from Kadappa and Chittoor districts in Andhra Pradesh and smuggle it from all major ports in the country. The racket has smuggled seven major consignments of red sandalwood from ICTT so far. We have identified two and have taken steps to recall it. The red sandalwood is smuggled to China for making musical instruments and for home furnishing. The racket has been operational through their network in Hong Kong and China. The illegal activity was on from all the major ports of the country. Recently, they started transporting red sandalwood through Vallarpadam after checking was intensified in other ports” a DRI official said.