105kg of sandalwood worth over Rs 10 lakh seized in Odisha, 3 arrested

Kashinagar police in Gajapati district seized 105 kg of sandalwood allegedly being smuggled in an auto-rickshaw near Kharada Chhak on the Paralakhemundi-Gunupur state highway on Friday. Three people were arrested in connection with the alleged smuggling. According to official sources, a Kashinagar police team was patrolling near Kharada Chhak in the morning when it received prior information about an auto-rickshaw allegedly carrying the contraband. The vehicle was intercepted after police spotted it approaching the area. During the search, officers reportedly found five large bags containing sandalwood inside the three-wheeler. The seized wood weighed around 105 kg and has an estimated value of more than Rs 10 lakh. Police also seized the auto-rickshaw allegedly used for transporting the sandalwood, along with three mobile phones and Rs 4,000 in cash. The arrested persons have been identified as Siraj Khan and Akram Khan of Kusumi village under Tangi police limits in Khordha district, and Damodar Pradhan of Sansada village under Ramagiri police limits in Gajapati district. A case (No.169/26) has been registered at Kashinagar police station. Police have launched a detailed investigation to determine the source of the seized sandalwood and its intended destination. The authorities are also probing the broader network, if any, behind the alleged illegal transportation. However, no comments were received from the local police in this regard.