DRI recall export container from Malaysia, seize red sanders

Chennai, Aug 14 (UNI) In a rare operation, officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recalled an export container from Malaysia and seized 10,760 MT of red sanders, valued at Rs 43 lakhs.

A DRI release here said based on specific intelligence that red sanders have been exported out of India from Tutocorin port, DRI officials recalled the container and effected the seizure.

On August 12, after recalling the container, the officials found it loaded with 492 red sanders logs of various sizes, it said.

Enquiries with the exporter revealed that some persons had approached him for exporting Coco peat in his name and he had agreed to lend his import-export code, the release said.

Red sanders was a unique species, which grows in a very limited areas in Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas in Tamil Nadu and nowhere else in the world.

Musical instruments and furniture made out of this wood were popular in Japan and China. The wood was also high in demand for its medicinal characteristics, the release added.

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