Pune: In a major crackdown on illegal sandalwood smuggling, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police’s Anti-Property Squad has seized a container carrying sandalwood worth ₹25 crore on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. The operation was conducted at Urse Toll Plaza, where the truck, heading towards Mumbai, was intercepted based on a tip-off.
Massive Seizure of Sandalwood
Upon inspecting the container, police discovered large quantities of sandalwood logs concealed under layers of coconut husk. Authorities estimate that the total weight of the seized sandalwood is between 10 to 12 tons, making this one of the biggest sandalwood smuggling busts in recent times.
Suspects in Custody
The police have detained two individuals in connection with the smuggling operation:
Arpit Singh – Suspected to be involved in the illegal transportation.
The container truck driver – Being interrogated for further details.
Authorities are now focused on tracking the source and intended destination of the consignment. As of now, the ownership of the sandalwood remains unclear, and police are actively investigating the smuggling network.
A senior police officer stated, "This is a significant seizure, and we are conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the entire smuggling operation, including the suppliers and buyers involved."
