Sandalwood was being sent to china: DRI

The department of revenue intelligence (DRI) suspects that China was the last destination of the 300 tonne red sandalwood recovered here on Thursday. HT reports.

The department of revenue intelligence (DRI) suspects that China was the last destination of the 300 tonne red sandalwood recovered here on Thursday.

HT Image

The gang involved in the smuggling racket was trying to send it to China via Dubai.

Red sandalwood has great demand in China due to its medicinal qualities. It is also used to make furniture and musical instruments.

The DRI has summoned two person in connection with the detection. Red sandalwood’s export is prohibited. It is concealed in containers with other valid items to be sent outside India.

“We believe that payments in the racket were routed through hawala channel,” said RK Sharma, DRI’s Delhi zone head. Besides red sandalwood, DRI has recovered pure sandalwood.