Mon Jun 30 11:15:27 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A special court in Tirupati, India, has sentenced two men to five years in prison and fined them ₹6 lakh each for smuggling red sandalwood in 2016. The Red Sanders Anti Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) played a key role in bringing the case to a successful conclusion.
**News Article:**
**Red Sanders Smugglers Sentenced to Five Years in Prison in Tirupati**
**TIRUPATI, INDIA – June 30, 2025** – A special court in Tirupati has convicted two men, J. Damodaram of Tirupati and A. Hari Prasad of Chittoor, for illegally transporting red sandalwood in 2016. The Red Sanders Special Additional District Judge’s court sentenced the pair to five years in jail and imposed a fine of ₹6 lakh each.
The arrest occurred in Pandurangavaripalli, Chandragiri mandal, after authorities intercepted the duo smuggling the highly-valued logs. The case was pursued by a special team formed by the Red Sanders Anti Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) head L. Subbarayudu, under the direction of Superintendent of Police P. Srinivas, who fast-tracked the pending case.
Judge Narasimha Murthy delivered the judgment on Monday, finding both men guilty based on evidence presented during the hearing. The conviction marks a victory for law enforcement efforts to combat the illegal trade of red sandalwood, a prized commodity often smuggled for its use in traditional medicine and luxury furniture.
First Piper 