Red sandalwood case: DRI to seek interpols help

KOCHI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) probing into the smuggling of red sandalwood via Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) is now finding it hard to track down two prime suspects residing in Dubai.The DRI has decided to seek the Interpol’s assistance to nab the two.Sources in the DRI told that Shahul Hamid, a Chennai native, and Shafeeq from Thalassery, operating the racket from Dubai could not be traced out.“We have launched a probe and tried to trace out Shafeeq and Shahul in Dubai.But details received about their addresses were fake and hence could not track them down.It is not clear if they are still in Dubai or have left the country.It seems that both are using fake passports as both have been accused in smuggling cases in the past.” According to Syed Muhammad, Superintendent of Police, DRI, the attempt to arrest Shahul and Shafeeq will be done with the assistance of Interpol.“Since both the accused could not be tracked down, we will seek the assistance of Interpol in this regard.The procedure for it has been initiated and information about both the two will be passed on to the Interpol in Dubai,” said Syed.It is also learnt that DRI has started attempts to unearth the alleged Naxalite connection with the red sandalwood mafia.“The investigation has been extended to Andra Pradesh and we have received vital information about mafianaxal links” Syed Muhammad said.There have been several cases in which the same mafia had operated from other ports in the country,” sources in the DRI informed.The racket has so far smuggled seven major consignments of red sandalwood valued no less than `100 crore via ICTT.The accused had procured the logs with the assistance of Naxalite groups from the forests of Andhra Pradesh.The logs were transported to Coimbatore, then to Cochin Port and finally to China. Sandalwood is used in China for making musical instruments and home furnitures. The DRI has arrested three in connection with the case, including Anil Kumar, kingpin of the sandalwood smuggling mafia in India.The activities of the mafia came to light after the DRI seized 13.5 tonnes of red sandalwood from the Vallarpadam ICTT last month.DRI had shipped back two containers of red sandalwood containers that were transported to Dubai via Vallarpadam ICTT.