5 Chinese nationals held in E. India for allegedly smuggling sandalwoo

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5 Chinese nationals held in E. India for allegedly smuggling sandalwood
NEW DELHI, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Indian customs department Wednesday seized 179 kg of red sandalwood, 2 kg of gold bars and 5 kg of drugs from the city airport and arrested 11 persons, including five Chinese nationals, said local media.

Airport customs Assistant Commissioner R. S. Meena said 179 kg of red sandalwood worth 180,000 rupees (3,000 U.S. dollars) in India was seized at the NSC Bose International Airport, according to Press Trust of India.

Five Chinese nationals had come to the airport carrying huge bags to board the Kolkata-Bangkok Thai Airways flight TG-314 scheduled for departure early Wednesday morning.

"On suspicion, customs officers opened the bags and found the red sandalwood which was banned from trade," said the report.

The Chinese nationals were arrested under Wildlife Protection Act and Foreign Trade Act, Meena was quoted as telling a press conference.

This is the fourth time this month that Chinese nationals have been arrested for sandalwood smuggling at or near the airport. About 600 kg of sandalwood, including the red variety, was seized from 19 Chinese nationals since Nov. 15, said the report.
5 Chinese nationals held in E. India for allegedly smuggling sandalwood - Xinhua | English.news.cn
 

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Re: 5 Chinese nationals held in E. India for allegedly smuggling sanda

Chinese nationals held for smuggling out sandalwood
Eleven Chinese nationals were arrested by officials of the customs department at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport here on Thursday for allegedly trying to smuggle a large quantity of red and white sandalwood out of the country.

About 270 kg of red and white sandalwood was seized from their possession. The value of the timber in the international market would be over Rs. 1 crore, Assistant Commissioner of Customs R.S. Meena told The Hindu .

According to senior officials, six of the accused were flying to Hong Kong and five others were travelling to Kunming province in China.

All the accused are in custody of the customs and would be produced before a court on Friday, Mr. Meena said.

Trading of sandalwood is banned under The Wildlife Protection Act (1972) as well as the existing customs laws, officials said, pointing out that though the consignment might not fetch huge sums in the country the wood is sought after in the international market.

Red sandalwood is used for making traditional medicines across China, Myanmar, Japan and East Asia, senior forest officials said. Since sandalwood is not found in the State, it was suspected that those trying to smuggle it must have brought it from other States, particularly from southern parts of the country.

Custom officials had seized about 27 kg of sandalwood being smuggled out of the country from the city airport earlier this week. A Chinese national was arrested in connection with the incident.
Chinese nationals held for smuggling out sandalwood - The Hindu
 

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