DRI seizes Red Sanders worth Rs.11.70 crore under “Operation Rakth Chandan”

DRI seizes Red Sanders worth Rs.11.70 crore under “Operation Rakth Chandan” On keeping with its commitment to preserving the nation's natural heritage, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recovered 14.63 MT of Red Sanders, valued at Rs 11.70 crore in the international market, from a cargo filled at ICD Sabarmati and destined for Sharjah, UAE. DRI developed intelligence that red sanders logs were being transported out of the nation in an export shipment labelled "assorted toiletries." As a result, Operation Rakth Chandan was launched, and the suspect export shipment was under constant monitoring. Based on the information provided, the suspicious container was examined using a 'container scanning device,' which confirmed the presence of some items in the form of logs and the absence of declared commodities, namely varied toiletries. As a result, DRI checked the container, which revealed that it was completely stuffed with red wooden logs that appeared to be Red Sandalwood. 840 wooden logs weighing 14.63 MT were discovered in the crate during de-stuffing. Other items were not recovered. Range Forest Officers' preliminary assessment of the wooden logs verified that the logs are of Red Sandalwood, which is prohibited for export. As a result, they were confiscated in accordance with the terms of the Customs Act of 1962. Further examination into the domestic flow of the products, their transportation, and the exporter in question is underway. Red Sanders is a flora species that is unique to the Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh and is listed as 'endangered' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The Red Sanders is also included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife, Fauna, and Flora (CITES) (CITES). Its beautiful colour and therapeutic characteristics account for its considerable demand in Asia, notably China, for usage in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and high-end furniture/woodcraft. According to India's Foreign Trade Policy, the export of Red Sanders is prohibited. During its operations across the country in fiscal years 2021-22 and 2020-21, DRI seized 95 and 96 MT of Red Sanders, valued at approximately Rs. 150 crore in the foreign market, respectively. DRI intercepted 12.20 MT of Red Sanders timber from a container in CFS, Krishnapatnam that was being trafficked to Malaysia with a cover cargo of sand/cement chips/gravel and assorted home items in March 2022. In the same month, 11.7 MT of Red Sanders wood was captured at Mundra port while being trafficked out of India as "truck components." DRI confiscated 9.42 MT of Red Sanders being smuggled out of India under the guise of shipment of "cast iron pipes" from ICD Tughlakabad, Delhi, in December 2021. In November 2021, DRI examined an export container at ICD Piyala, Haryana, resulting in the recovery of 9.98 MT of Red Sanders wood smuggled out of India under the premise of export of "Iron & Brass Builder Hardware goods." Immediate response led to the search of another container at the Nhava Sheva port, resulting in the recovery of 12.16 MT of Red Sanders wood. Another container, which had already left Nhava Sheva port bound for Sanshui, China, was also recalled from the high seas, and its search resulted in the recovery of 12.03 MT of Red Sanders wood. Thus, a total of 34.17 MT of Red Sanders wood was confiscated in a single coordinated operation, with an estimated worth of approximately Rs. 27 crore in the international market. DRI is dedicated to continuing its relentless onslaught on those aiming to undermine India's economic boundaries and misappropriate her precious natural heritage.