DRI cracks down on ‘Modern Pushpas’ in ₹6.26 Cr Red sanders smuggling case

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has thwarted an organised attempt to illegally export red sanders, seizing 15 metric tonnes of the restricted wood valued at ₹6.26 crore from multiple locations in Chennai, officials said on Sunday.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers uncovered a smuggling syndicate that had clandestinely stored red sanders in godowns across Chennai and its outskirts, with plans to transport the consignment to Delhi before exporting it abroad. The operation raises a key question: how did the syndicate operate despite strict legal restrictions and surveillance?

According to the agency, coordinated and systematic searches were conducted at three premises between December 9 and December 11, 2025. During the operation, officers recovered 169 Grade-A red sanders logs weighing 5.55 MT from one warehouse. Of these, 76 logs were wrapped in white HDPE packing material, concealed and kept ready for loading onto a truck, falsely declared as “household articles” to evade detection.

The offending goods, along with the cover cargo meant to mask the illegal shipment, were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. In two other premises, officials recovered and seized an additional 9.55 MT of red sanders , including logs, roots and furniture, indicating attempts to diversify concealment methods.

Investigators said the syndicate relied on fragmented storage, misdeclaration of cargo and multi-stage transportation routes to bypass checks, pointing to a structured network involving suppliers, transporters and intermediaries.

The four arrested persons include the key operative, two associates involved in packing and transportation, and a supplier-side intermediary. Further investigation is underway to identify end buyers, overseas links and financial trails.

Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is listed under Appendix II of CITES and Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and its export is prohibited or strictly restricted under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Officials said the seizure underscores intelligence-led enforcement against wildlife trafficking and organised smuggling networks.