Mumbai Police Crime Branch arrested three persons for allegedly smuggling red sandalwood worth Rs 7.5 crore in Santacruz
Accused Wajid Abbas Ansari. Pic credit/Anurag Kamble
The arrested accused have been identified as Asgar Ismail Sheikh (49), Wajid Abbas Ansari (32) and Ali Shantaram Shaikh (32). Asgar and Wajid were driving the tempo while Ali had come to unload the consignment. As per preliminary information, the sandal has been brought from South India. "We have arrested the accused and further investigation to trace the person behind the consignment is underway," said Mahesh Desai, Senior Inspector of Unit 9.
Also Read: Five foreign nationals held at IGI airport for foreign currency smuggling
Accused Asgar Ismail Sheikh
Accused Wajid Abbas Ansari
Unit 9 of Crime Branch received a tip-off that revealed, red sandalwood which is now banned will be brought to Mumbai to smuggle it outside India. Following this, a team led by Senior Inspector Mahesh Desai along with forest officials tracked the suspected tempo and intercepted it within the jurisdiction of Santacruz. When cops checked the tempo, they found red sandalwood weighing 1556 kilogram and the estimated cost of the seized red sandalwood is Rs 7.5 crore.
Also Read: Mumbai Crime: Three held at airport for trying to smuggle 3.9 kg gold
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
