Cops nab two persons for sand smuggling, seize two tractors in Kodangal

Kodangal: The Doulatabad police under Kodangal constituency limits have arrested two persons and seized two tractors used for smuggling sand from the forest region of Gokafaslabad village in Doulatabad Mandal on Thursday.

According to Doulatabad Sub-Inspector Vishwajan, on a tip-off from the villagers, they laid a trap and intercepted the two tractors in which the sand was transported without any permit or sanction from the government authorities.

"We have sieged two tractors and arrested two persons transporting the sand illegally from the rivulet near Gokafaslabad, located deep inside the forest. Taking advantage of the forest region, the sand mafia is resorting to smuggling and selling the sand in the black market at exorbitant rates. We have booked cases against the offenders and investigating it further," said SI Vishwajan.

It is said that the availability of sand in Doulatabad and the surrounding region is very scarce. With this, the sand mafia is taking advantage of the scarcity and resorting to illegal mining. "Unlike in the open areas, the smugglers are going deep into the forest and mining the sand, far from the eyes of police and the revenue authorities. To contain this, we have also informed about the sand smuggling to the forest authorities, who will keep an eye on them," informed the SI.