Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia

Sullia, Dec 14: Forest department officials have seized timber worth an estimated Rs 10 lac, along with the vehicles used for its transportation, during a special operation carried out on December 13 at Mundodi in Devachalla village.

Acting on specific information that one jackfruit tree and one mango tree were being illegally felled and transported from the property of Nagesh of Mundodi, officials of the Nelluru–Kemraje range, led by deputy range forest officer Soumya P N, conducted a raid at the site. During the operation, the team seized 10 logs of jackfruit and mango, besides a lorry and a crane used to move the timber.

The property owner Nagesh and the prime accused, Mohammed Ashraf D M, a timber trader and crane owner from Navuru in Sullia Kasaba, were taken into custody and questioned. They were later released, officials said.

“The action was taken based on credible information and is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal timber felling and transportation,” forest officials said.

Further investigation is being carried out by range forest officer Manjunath, under the guidance of assistant conservator of forests Prashanth Kumar Pai, as per the directions of deputy conservator of forests Antony S Mariyappa.