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| The confiscated sandalwood |
VISHNU NEOPANEY
For the second time in ten seasons of border trade over Nathula, Sikkim Police has confiscated a sandalwood consignment from Gangtok suspected of being readied for smuggling into Tibetan Autonomous Region over Nathula under the cover of border trade. The bust was made in the wee hours of 07 September, Monday, from Manbir Colony on Indira Byepass. As per Sadar Thana officials, the consignment was scheduled for transport to TAR later in the day via Rhenock in East Sikkim. The police raid was carried out at 5:30 a.m. and led to the seizure of 745 kgs of sandalwood in 125 logs valued at Rs. 24 lakh.
Red sandalwood is in huge demand in China and commands a high price of Rs 10 crore per tonne in China while in India, as per Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials quoted in several media reports, red sanders cost something between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 per kg. Its export is banned and movement within the country requires special permits and documents. It is unlikely that the consignment seized today had such paperwork in place. It is also suspected that Nepal and Bhutan are extensively used as conduits to smuggle red sanders from South India into China via Tibet.
Red sandalwood is in huge demand in China and commands a high price of Rs 10 crore per tonne in China while in India, as per Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials quoted in several media reports, red sanders cost something between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 per kg. Its export is banned and movement within the country requires special permits and documents. It is unlikely that the consignment seized today had such paperwork in place. It is also suspected that Nepal and Bhutan are extensively used as conduits to smuggle red sanders from South India into China via Tibet.
