Archive · 24 Sep 2025
Sandalwood Smugglers Disguised as Devotees Arrested at MM Hills
Imagine some people dressed up like they were going to a temple.
But instead of praying, they were trying to steal special wood called sandalwood!
The forest police caught one man with 33 pieces of the wood.
They also caught a kid trying to cut down a sandalwood tree.
The kid was with two other people who ran away.
The police think these people are part of a big group stealing sandalwood by pretending to be regular visitors to the temple.
They hide the wood among other belongings to get away with it.
Forest officials arrested Sedeyan for smuggling sandalwood.
Sedeyan was caught with 33 sandalwood billets.
A minor boy was apprehended while cutting sandalwood trees.
Two accomplices of the minor escaped.
Authorities suspect a cross-border sandalwood smuggling ring is operating in the area.
- Who
- Forest officials, Sedeyan, a minor boy, Perumal, and Murugan.
- What
- Arrests of individuals attempting to smuggle sandalwood.
- When
- Not specified in the article.
- Where
- Male Mahadeshwara Hills, near Ane Thale Dimba and Doddabarehalla.
- Why
- To smuggle sandalwood out of the forest.
- Accused Arrested
- Sedeyan and a minor boy
- Location of Arrest
- Male Mahadeshwara Hills
- Stolen Goods Recovered
- 33 sandalwood billets
- Additional Suspects
- Perumal and Murugan
- Accused Disguise
- Devotees