Erode: A gang of five was arrested on Friday for smuggling sandalwood from K N Palayam reserve forest.
The arrested were identified as J Perumal, 28, P Sekar, 27, R Maadhan, 27, N Sadaiyappan, 30 and M Nanjaan, 60 - all natives of K N Palayam village.
According to forest officials, three of them were caught at K N Palayam check post while they were on patrol duty. “The trio - Perunal, Sekar and Maadhan - came on a bike. During vehicle check, we found 2kg sandalwood logs in the bike. During the inquiry, they said the sandalwood was cut from K N Palayam reserve forest and two more people were involved,” an official said.
Based on the tip the trio provided, forest officials arrested Sadaiyappan and Nanjaan and seized from them sandalwood logs, along with bike.
Forest officials have registered a case against the five and also slapped on them a fine of Rs 10,000 each. Further investigation is on.
