Nagpur: While the administration sleeps, red sandalwood smuggling thrives under the cover of betel nut trade. Today, a team from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Delhi conducted raids on three transport businesses in the Old Transport Nagar area.
According to business sources, Nagpur has a large-scale betel nut trade, with huge consignments arriving from Bangalore and other cities through international routes. It has been secretly reported that three major transporters from Transport Nagar, near Vardhaman Nagar in East Nagpur, are allegedly involved in smuggling red sandalwood under the guise of betel nut transportation.
Gold Rate
Wednesday 15 Jan. 2025
In both old and new cases, DRI’s Delhi team suddenly raided the offices of these transporters today. This operation was carried out with extreme secrecy. The red sandalwood is brought to Nagpur and then sent to North India for oil and perfume production. Nagpur’s transporters seem to be playing the role of the character ‘Pushpa’ from the movie.
Sources say the high profits from this business have led transporters to adopt illegal methods. It is also reported that the transporters raided by the DRI today have been previously arrested for similar offenses. The DRI is maintaining high confidentiality regarding this entire case. However, they promise to soon reveal who is responsible for smuggling red sandalwood through Nagpur Transport to various parts of the country.
