Red sanders logs seized in Kadapa

1. Seshachalam and Lankamalla forest belts lead in periodic seizures
2. Kadapa remains the major hub for illegal felling and transportation of red sanders.
3. Organised inter-state networks operating across AP, Telangana, Karnataka and Delhi, with hawala channels allegedly used finance procurement and transport.
4. The RSASTF continues intelligence-based combing operations in Seshachalam and Lankamalla forest belts, leading to periodic seizures of logs, vehicles and arrests.

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, teams from the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force and State Intelligence conducted vehicle checks and intercepted a Bolero Max truck allegedly transporting the logs concealed beneath household goods. The case relates to the seizure of 78 red sanders logs near Jyothi Gudi in Varikuntla village under Avadhoota Kasinayana mandal on Saturday.

Officials arrested two alleged interstate smugglers from Haryana, identified as Sunny and Ramesh, and seized the vehicle along with the timber. During the investigation, authorities found that a Forest Beat Officer posted in the Jyothi Forest Beat, identified as Mallikarjuna, had allegedly provided assistance to the smuggling network. He has also been arrested and is being questioned. According to officials, investigations have revealed the involvement of a wider interstate network with links extending to Bengaluru, Haryana and Kolkata. Pawan Kalyan directed the Forest Department to constitute special teams to trace and apprehend the alleged masterminds behind the smuggling racket.

In August 2025, in Lankamalla forest, Kadapa, 52 logs worth Rs 1 cr and weighing 1 tonne was seized and six notorious smugglers arrested. One among them, E Naga Dasthagiri Reddy was involved who had 100 red sanders cases against him. Police then said that the network was linked to Delhi-based kingpins and hawala operators.  In June, 2025, another set of 48 logs were also seized.

PK warns of action

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forest Minister Pawan Kalyan has warned of stringent action against anyone found assisting red sanders smuggling networks, including government officials, following the seizure of red sanders logs worth Rs 1.5 crore in Kadapa district. Reviewing the case with officials of the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government would not spare anyone involved in facilitating the illegal trade and directed a detailed investigation into the role of a Forest Beat Officer who was allegedly found to have assisted interstate smuggling syndicates.

According to officials, investigations have revealed the involvement of a wider interstate network with links extending to Bengaluru, Haryana and Kolkata. Pawan Kalyan directed the Forest Department to constitute special teams to trace and apprehend the alleged masterminds behind the smuggling racket.

The Deputy Chief Minister also sought a comprehensive report on the Beat Officer’s alleged role and reiterated that the government would intensify efforts under ‘Operation Aranya’ to curb red sanders smuggling. He said the progress of the anti-smuggling drive would be reviewed regularly and that stricter enforcement measures would be implemented to dismantle organised smuggling networks operating in the state.