Representational image (Thinkstock)
Four Chinese nationals have been arrested by the Bengaluru police on charges of illegally storing red sandalwood and running an illegal factory. Red Sandal is a tree that has been declared endangered in India.
About six tonnes of wood was seized along with machinery worth around Rs 10 lakhs.
The police said there is a large demand for red sandal in China. J. Arun Chakravarty, IGP, Central Range, Karnataka said, "Last evening we had credible information that a large quantity of red sanders is being stored, hoarded and likely to be illegally transported. We raided the premises and found 4 persons who were involved in these illegal activities. We are looking into their antecedents. Illegal poachers and transporters are trying to meet the international demand which is increasing day by day."
Mr Chakravarty said the smugglers often use the aerial route to get the wood out of the country.
"We have come across a couple of seizures at the airport itself. They take the road upto the Bangalore International Airport and then take the aerial route - that is what it looks like."
Police believe the illegal storage and manufacturing had been going on for the last four months in the factory.