3 held with 160 kg red sandalwood at IGIA

NEW DELHI: Three men were apprehended at IGI Airport after they were found travelling with 160 kilograms of red sandalwood in their baggage. The accused Deepak Mahroliya was off-loaded by Custom officials and the other two passengers apprehended by CISF were also handed over to Customs officials along with the detected red sandalwood. On weighing, a total 160 kg red sandalwood worth approximately Rs 13 lakh was detected from the baggage of all the three passengers.

On Friday, CISF surveillance and intelligence personnel of IGI Airport on profiling basis selected a passenger later identified as Ashish Chhabra, bound for Hong Kong by Air India flight, for thorough checking in the departure area of Terminal-3. The passenger along with his baggage was taken to the random checking point for thorough checking. On being searched, some bundles of red colour wood were found inside his bags. The matter was informed to Customs officials and the passenger was allowed for check-in, but he was kept under electronics and manual surveillance.

On the basis of electronic surveillance, it came to notice that the said passenger was accompanied with two other passengers later identified as Deepak Mahroliya, Sandesh Dhingeya, (both Indians). Both of them have been found with some bundles of red colour wood inside their bags.