The inordinate demand for the timber has also pushed the cost of catechu from Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 per kg. Illegal logging in various talukas in the district is so widespread that over 150 trucks loaded with Khairwood have been intercepted over the last two years, says Yeoor Range Forest Officer of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Sameer Deshpande. The cost: several crore rupees.

``These organised gangs have managed to successfully dodge the police. They dont even hesitate to attack and kill policemen and others who come in their way,'' Deshpande says.

In June, Ahmed Shaikh, a businessman had alerted forestofficials of a truck being loaded with Khair trees at Vartak Nagar. The truck was raided and the wood seized. Shortly thereafter, Shaikh was shot dead at Karwalo Nagar Masjid, and his body mutilated to serve as a lesson to other informants.

In another incident last year, a watchmen with the Thane division forest, S Desal's head was severed at Mapoli village when he tried to stop a fleeing Khair-cutter, says Forest Range Officer, Thane division, Vishwas Walke.

There are also several instances when these gangs have assaulted forest officers and guards during raids.

These gangs, active mainly in Dahanu, Vasai, Palghar, Wada, Jawhar and Bhiwandi, owe allegiance to Haroon and Nizam, Akbar Macchiwala, Shahabuddin Pashamiyan, Balaji Telang and Rizwan Thanewal. The Thane rural police have now teamed up with the forest authorities to spread their dragnet.

According to Thane Superintendent of Police (Rural), the Saagar Suraksha Sanghatana, which has 15 checkposts at strategic locations, will also keep an eyeout for timber smugglers.