The forest department said on Thursday that it had arrested five persons and seized more than 70 kilograms of sandalwood here after an undercover operation.
According to forest officials, the arrested individuals have been identified as Sharan Sashi, Shaji VS, Aneesh Mathew, Charles Joseph and Nikhil Suresh – all residents of Idukki district.
A forest official said the department was tracking a gang involved in the illegal trade of sandalwood logs based on intelligence inputs.
The officials, posing as buyers, contacted the gang and asked them to meet at Veetoor in Ernakulam district to get two kilograms of sandalwood for the temple.
The accused reached the spot as planned and handed over the sandalwood logs. They were immediately taken into custody.
During interrogation, they informed the officials that the remaining logs were kept at their hideout in Irratayar, Idukki, the officer said.
Forest workers later raided the hideout and seized about 70 kilograms of sandalwood.
The accused were produced before a magistrate late in the evening and remanded in judicial custody, the police officer added.
Forest officials said they are investigating the source of the sandalwood.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang was illegally supplying sandalwood to sculptors for handicraft work, the officer said.
Published – 20 Nov 2025 22:29 IST
