The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) team from Delhi conducted a raid on Friday at the offices of two well-known transporters in East Nagpur. These transporters were allegedly involved in the illegal transportation of red sandalwood, disguised as betel nut. The DRI has not disclosed any further information regarding the operation.
Nagpur is a major hub for the betel nut trade, with large consignments arriving from Bangalore and other cities via trucks. The DRI received confidential information that two transporters from Transport Nagar, near Wardhaman Nagar in East Nagpur, were illegally transporting red sandalwood under the guise of betel nut.
Acting on this information, the DRI Delhi team conducted sudden and highly confidential raids at the offices of these two transporters today. The operation was carried out discreetly, maintaining a high level of secrecy.
Red sandalwood is transported to Nagpur and then sent to North India, where it is used in the production of oil and perfume. Business community sources indicate that transporters resort to illegal methods due to the substantial profits involved. It is also believed that the two transporters raided today had been previously arrested in a similar case. The DRI has been extremely secretive about this entire matter, withholding the names of the transporters involved.