VIJAYAWADA: As many as 140 cops have been deputed to Tirupati, Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa, Rajampeta, and Giddalur to curb red sanders smuggling. The government has also granted Rs 25 crore towards protection of red sanders trees.
Additional Chief Conservator of Forests Mohammed Ilyas Rizwi said that combing operations have been intensified in the areas where smuggling is rampant.
In 2016-17, 911 cases were registered; 487 tonnes of red sanders logs and 705 heavy vehicles were seized, and 3,334 red sanders operatives were arrested. In 2017-18, 890 cases were registered; 363 tonnes of red sanders logs and 685 heavy vehicles were seized, and 2,776 operatives were arrested. This year till June 8, 125 cases were registered.