Chennai sources have stated that sleuths of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Sunday intercepted two containers that were cleared for export to the United Arab Emirates and seized 36 tonnes of red sanders worth Rs. 16.2 crore, rare idols, handicrafts and artifacts and the DRI has added that a gang of suspected smugglers, who were operating from the god own has allegedly fled after they sensed trouble.
Presently preliminary enquiries have revealed that the red sanders was smuggled from Andhra Pradesh and meant for export to the Middle East and South-East Asian countries from where it would finally reach China, the largest market for the wood.
It is stated that investigators have gathered a specific input that two containers loaded with sewage covers that were sealed and cleared for export were diverted to the go down while in transit from the Container Freight Station (CFS) to the Chennai Port.
Meanwhile the official has said once containers were sealed by Customs officials at the CFS terminal and cleared for export, law enforcing agencies would intercept them only when there was specific intelligence about smuggling.
