Port Blair, Jan 11: Bambooflat police busted an illegal timber smuggling racket and detained two persons engaged in the illegal smuggling. On 10/01/2023, an information was received that one person namely Hussain R/o Azad Nagar is gathering large number of illegal padauk timber. Upon this, a raiding team comprising of SI Tejeshwar Rao, HCs R.K. Rathore, Ashok Roy, Sanjit Surin and PC Molina was constituted by the SHO Bambooflat K. Abdul Nasir. The team acted swiftly and conducted raid in the premises of Hussain, R/o Azad Nagar, Stwertgunj.

During search, total 158 pieces of Padauk (worth Rs. 3 Lakh) which were being smuggled illegally were recovered. Subsequently, M. Hussain, S/o Late M Ummer, 42 yrs, R/o Azad Nagar and Ismail Mondal, S/o Musharaf Hussain, 38 yrs, R/o Model Village were detained U/s 52 of Indian Forest Act 1927 and the illegal timber were seized. Later on, the detained persons alongwith timber were handed over to Range Officer, Mannarghat Range after observing all codal formalities for further necessary action.

The entire operation was conducted under the supervision of SDPO Bambooflat Shri Arshdeep Singh Panwar, DANIPS. The general public is requested to share information pertaining to any crime or other illegal activities to police at 112, 03192-232100 & 03192-233077. The identity of the informant will be kept secret.