Pune: Smuggled Red Sandalwood Seized By Pimpri Chinchwad Police Was Bound for JNPT Mumbai, Intended for International Markets
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Maval, 3rd March 2025: In a major operation, Pimpri Chinchwad Police seized over 12 tonnes of red sandalwood intended for smuggling, worth a whopping Rs 9 crore, near Urse Toll Plaza on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Two individuals—a smuggler and a container driver—have been detained. The Crime Branch received information that the red sandalwood was meant for export via Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) near Mumbai. Police suspect the involvement of a large syndicate and are working towards uncovering the entire network.
The Anti-Property Crime Cell of the Crime Branch arrested Rajaram Gangaram Gaykhe (37, resident of Ahilyanagar) and Harprit Singh Badana (42, resident of Thane). A case has been registered against them at Shirgaon Police Station, under whose jurisdiction the operation was conducted.
According to police reports, Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Mahesh Khande and Police Constable Nitin Lokhande received a tip-off that a container truck carrying a large quantity of red sandalwood was heading towards Mumbai on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Acting on this intelligence, the police set up a trap near Urse Toll Plaza. Yesterday afternoon, they intercepted the suspected container and began questioning the two men inside. Their responses were vague, raising further suspicion.
Upon opening the sealed container—marked with an international company’s name—police discovered 11.5 tonnes of red sandalwood worth Rs 8.61 crore. The container itself was seized, bringing the total seizure value to Rs 9.11 crore.
Red sandalwood smuggling is banned as it is an endangered species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, and listed in CITES Appendix II. Overharvesting has led to severe depletion, disrupting ecosystems. It is primarily smuggled from the forests of Andhra Pradesh, especially the Seshachalam Hills, as well as parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Major destinations include China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, where it is highly valued for luxury furniture, traditional medicine, musical instruments, and religious artifacts. Its restricted availability and high demand fuel illegal trade, often controlled by organized smuggling networks.
Police sources told Punekar News that the seized red sandalwood appears to have originated from the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border. The container driver picked up the consignment from Bengaluru and traveled nearly 900 km to Urse Toll Naka without being caught, despite passing multiple police checkpoints and toll plazas. Sources also revealed that the sandalwood was en route to JNPT (Nhava Sheva Port) for export. Authorities suspect a major international syndicate behind the operation.
The Pimpri Chinchwad Police have secured five-day custody of the arrested suspects until March 7. However, the accused remain uncooperative, providing vague answers and making the investigation difficult. They claim they were merely instructed to transport the container to JNPT and were unaware of its contents, insisting they are innocent victims in the operation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sandeep Doiphode stated, “Regarding the red sandalwood smuggling case, two individuals have been arrested. We are investigating its origins and intended destination. A major international syndicate is suspected to be involved.”
This operation was carried out under the guidance of Pimpri Chinchwad Commissioner of Police Vinoy Kumar Choubey, Joint Commissioner of Police Dr. Shashikant Mahavarkar, Additional Commissioner of Police Vasant Pardeshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Doiphode, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime 1) Dr. Vishal Hire. The Anti-Property Crime Cell team, led by Senior Police Inspector Vijay Dhamal, included Police Sub-Inspector Bharat Gosavi and Police Constables Mahesh Khande, Ashish Bankar, Amol Gore, Mohsin Attar, and others.
