Dubai module of Red sanders smugglers pose threat

U Sudhakar Reddy
Dubai module of red Sanders smugglers has evolved as key organised
racket running the illegal trade across the borders posting big challenge to enforcement
agencies. Two international smugglers Shahul Hameed and Sheikh of are wanted by
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence too apart from the AP police in 17 cases. Police said
that Shahul Hameed a citizen of Singapore was initially at Chennai and later he has fled
to Dubai and operating the network. Red Sanders consignments  initially sent to Dubai and
from there it reaches Hongkong, China and other international hubs. Police and DRI
identified that the payments for red sanders are sent through hawala channels.
Sources in DRI said that shipping consignments are sent to Dubai from Chennai, Kochi and
Mumbai in the guise of goods export. They are exported in the name of plywood, chappals
and other material. In 2011 October DRI seized 13.5 tonnes of Red Sanders two key persons
Shahul Hameed and Shafeeq of Dubai module were identified.
On Saturday Tirupati police revealed that Shahul Hameed is the key man behind smuggling
racket in the AP as per the confession of Balraj the arrested the red sanders smuggler.
Most of the high end operatives are from Chennai and Kerala. The operative have links to
Singapore, Malaysia, Bangkok and Hongkong too. Another key accused Shafeeq from Thalseery
who is assisting the racket to smuggled out red sanders to China and Hong kong via Dubai
was initially part of  A T Maideen gang in Hong Kong. After A T Maideen was detained in
2012 it was Shahul Hameed who is leading the racket.
It was also revealed that one Sanath Kumar associate of Shahul Hameed arranges for
clearance of Red sander wood on behalf of export concerns. In 2004 Shahul Hameed was once
detained at Chennai and later he jumped out on bail.
On one line e commerce websites too Red Sanders is traded. One of the advertisements says
‘Buy Indian Red sandal wood from Dubai’ and specifies that the wood should come from
Indian forest. Most of the Chinese companies are posting the online ads with request to
buy the priced wood. In one of the e commerce sites China based company says it requires
100 tonnes of red sanders at the rate of 19,000 US dollars per ton. Several Bangalore
based operatives are also giving online advertisements regarding the sale of Red Sanders.
The extract of red sander Pteorsibilin is used to prepare an alternative for Viagra said
AP Biodiversity Board Chairman Dr R Hampaiah.