Timber Mafia Flees as Forest Officials Seize Teak Worth Lakhs in Koraput
Koraput: In a major crackdown on timber smuggling, forest officials of the Gupteswar range under Ramgiri division seized a Bolero vehicle loaded with 40 teak logs valued at over Rs 1 lakh.
The operation, led by Forester Shubham Shekhar Dalai under the guidance of Range Officer Chhabi Randhari, was carried out during night patrols.
On being intercepted, the timber mafia abandoned the vehicle and fled into the forest under cover of darkness.
Authorities suspect the teak was sourced either from Chhattisgarh or Haladikund and are tracing its intended destination.
The Forest Department has intensified surveillance and night patrolling in the Gupteswar forest to curb illegal logging and smuggling.
Raids and search operations are underway to apprehend the absconding smugglers.
