Haryana: 20 quintals of red sandalwood seized, one held

CHANDIGARH: In one of the biggest crackdown on sandalwood smugglers, Haryana police busted a gang and seized close to 20 quintals of red sandalwood in Jhajjar district. Police have also arrested a person in this connection.
Haryana Police spokesperson said that the arrested accused was identified as Sachin, a resident of village Girawar, Jhajjar. The crackdown was made by a team of the Crime Investigation Agency following credible information.
Divulging the details, he informed that a CIA team, during patrolling in urban areas had received a tip-off that Sachin and Ramesh engaged in illegal trade of sandalwood had loaded a large consignment of red sandalwood in a canter bearing Haryana registration number. They would be passing through village Girawar on Sampla road towards Gurugram. Acting swiftly, the police team laid a trap and started checking vehicles at check-point. After some time, when the police party signaled a canter to stop and when searched it recovered about 20 quintals of red sandalwood worth lakh of rupees.
The accused was booked under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A case to this effect has been registered at a police station and a thorough probe is underway to find out the involvement of others and where is such precious wood hidden by the accused. He was produced before the court which sent him two days police remand.
In another development, the Crime Investigation Agency of Haryana Police arrested a criminal, carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 from Nuh district. A country-made pistol and one cartridge were also recovered from his possession. Arrested accused was identified as Shahid alias Polo, a resident of Dhulawat. About three dozen cases pertaining to loot, dacoity, theft and attempt to murder were unearthed with his arrest.