Mumbai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 8 metric tonnes of red sanders worth Rs 7.9 crore which were being exported after mis-declaration as granite marble slabs, an official said on Friday.
Five people, including an exporter, commission broker, warehouse manager and transporter, were arrested by DRI's Mumbai zonal unit after intercepting a container at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) at Nhava Sheva based on a tip-off, he said.
"There were 6 tonnes of red sandalwood hidden under polished granite slabs and cement bricks in the container. Following this, action was taken in Ahmednagar, Nashik and Hyderabad in Telangana. Two tonnes of red sandalwood was seized in Nashik. This consignment was also exported To be done in the coming days,” he said.
The official said Red Sanders is a protected species under the CITES Convention and its export is prohibited under the Customs Act 1962.
Five people, including an exporter, commission broker, warehouse manager and transporter, were arrested by DRI's Mumbai zonal unit after intercepting a container at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) at Nhava Sheva based on a tip-off, he said.
"There were 6 tonnes of red sandalwood hidden under polished granite slabs and cement bricks in the container. Following this, action was taken in Ahmednagar, Nashik and Hyderabad in Telangana. Two tonnes of red sandalwood was seized in Nashik. This consignment was also exported To be done in the coming days,” he said.
The official said Red Sanders is a protected species under the CITES Convention and its export is prohibited under the Customs Act 1962.
