‘Jamnagar hub of illegal red sandalwood export to Gulf countries’

Investigations revealed that illegal traders from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have established local contacts in Jamnagar to facilitate their sandalwood export to the Gulf. A bulk of these red sandalwood comes from Chittur and Cuddpah districts in Andhra. The trade in red sandalwood is banned in the country,officials said.

“Smugglers from Andhra and Tamil Nadu have made local contacts in Gujarat. Locals who are into shipping and small-time exports have become agents for them in lieu of commissions of 20-30%,” a DRI official said,adding Jamnagar has emerged as the transit point where consignments are loaded before being sent to Gulf countries through the Kutch route.

Officials said smugglers from Andhra and Tamil Nadu send sandalwood boxes through forest routes in Maharashtra using challans for transporting forest wood. “When a consignment is sent through the Kutch route,red sandalwood is buried with vegetables and food items,electronic goods,gems and gold,” an official said.

Customs officials said most of these illegal exports are bound for Dubai,Qatar,Bahrain and other Gulf countries.

Red sandalwood is used in perfumes and essential oils,besides in making musical instruments,chess pieces and medicines.

The last big sandalwood haul in the state was in August last year when Customs seized 15 tonnes of red sandalwood at Mundra Port.