PONDA: In a raid made by Collem Range Forest officials on Tuesday, 11 people were held for alleged involvement in illegal cutting of Khair trees and smuggling of Khair wood worth Rs 1 lakh from Dharbandora.
The forest officials have attached two four-wheelers, one air gun, Rs 4 lakh cash, two finger rings and a chain. Further investigation is on.
Among the eleven arrested mastermind is from Sawantawadi, nine accuse from Maharashtra and one from Sattari.
The 11 arrested include main suspect Sandesh Suryakant Naik, native of Sawantwadi, Maharashtra along with Vithal Patkare (22), Janu Patkare (34), Mambu Patkare (30), Laxman Patkare (30), Sandeep Jangele (19), Maruti Katrot (24), Ramu Patkore (20), Yogesh Patkore (20), all natives of Karnataka and Saif Shaik (27), resident of Morlem - Sattari and Asif Shaik (28) resident of Keri - Sattari.
According to Range Forest Officer at Collem Forest Department, Narayan Prabhudesai, on Monday night, information was received from forest employees regarding illegal felling of Khair tree at Tamsada forest at Dharbandora.
Accordingly the team of forest rushed at spot and found that 11 people were found loading logs of Khair tree in a car. They were caught red-handed at while trying to run away from the spot. Sandesh Naik, the alleged mastermind who had arrived in car at the spot, was also arrested.
Naik had been caught earlier also while illegally felling trees in Pedne-Keri and Ponda forests.
The forest officials seized a jeep bearing two number plates. Investigation is on to check about the ownership details of the jeep.