A team of directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) today seized a suspected red sandalwood consignment at Kandla Port in Gujarat that was about to be shipped to Dubai allegedly by a Morbi-based ceramics exporter.
A Morbi-based sanitaryware manufacturer and exporter was allegedly found exporting the banned red sandalwood from Kandla Port. The company mis-declared the red sandalwood and exported under ceramics products, the DRI officials claimed. According to sources the company had already shipped three consignments valuing around Rs 75 lakh each to Dubai over past two months. The combined value of the exported and seized consignments was estimated at around Rs 4 crore. The consignments already exported to Dubai would be brought back to India, informed the DRI sources. Cutting or export of red sandalwood trees is prohibited in India.
However, the export of red sandalwood is not a first instance. Over the past few months, the DRI officials from Gandhidham had seized three consignments of banned red sandalwood being exported to Dubai.
Two of which was seized from Mundra Port, while one was seized from Kandla Port recently. The officials will seek expert opinion to ascertain the quality of wood and exact value. Further information was not revealed as it was feared to hamper investigation.