Cuttack: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch has seized sandalwood worth around Rs 70 lakh in Cuttack district.
The STF also arrested three alleged smugglers following the raid in Dalajodi forest near Tangi on Thursday night.
Following a tip-off about an illegal deal, the STF team raided the place and seized 4,60 quintal of sandalwood and other incriminating articles from the possession of the accused.
The accused were identified as Hemanta Chatois, Kanhu Chanran Bhoi and Dandapani Das. While Hemanta and Kanhu are residents of Tangi area, Dandapani hails from Khandapada in Nayagarh district.
“The accused persons could not produce any valid license or documents to support their possession of such a huge quantity of sandalwood. In this connection, a case has been registered at Tangi police station for necessary legal action,” a police officer said.
