Kathmandu, August 29
Before 2015, the smuggling of red sandalwood used to be a frequent news item in the Kathmandu press. However, since the Tatopani border point between Nepal and China was shut down due to the 2015 earthquake, no one heard about such cases.
It has been three months since the border point resumed its trade activities. Subsequently, the smuggling case has come to the news again.
A joint team of personnel from the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police and Metropolitan Police Circle, Bauddha on Wednesday confiscated 83 kg red sandalwood from a private house in Ramhiti, Bauddha. Police also arrested the house owner Chyangba Lama and Yonden Gyanju Tamang.
Police have claimed that they were tipped off that the red sandalwood was stored there for sale.
It is not immediately known who owned the valued timber. The wood and the arrestees will be handed over to the District Forest Office for further investigation.
The valued timber is useful for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Though the government has banned its trade in the country. Therefore, the smugglers tend to supply it illegally to China, one of the biggest sandalwood markets of the world.
