Sandal smugglers on free run strike for 5th time in Kovai, axe 30-ft tree at house

According to sources, the smugglers had axed the fully-grown tree at the residence of Prem Kumar, an LIC agent, at Bharathi Park. However, the incident came to light only on Wednesday morning when Prem Kumar came out of the house and found the tree missing. The smugglers had escaped with a sizeable portion of the wood.

On information, the Sai Baba Colony police rushed to the spot and held inquiries.

The smugglers had already struck four times this month at Sai Baba Colony, Race Course and RS Puram-all posh localities located in the heart of Coimbatore city.

The police had nabbed Govindaraj and Vallarasu, suspected to be part of a gang, a few days ago from Salem in connection with the smuggling incidents. The duo had allegedly axed a sandalwood tree on a public pathway in Saibaba Colony on July 17. However, they abandoned their car loaded with logs on being intercepted by the police. The police then reportedly traced them with the registration number of the car.

Even as the police heaved a sigh of relief with their arrest, the recent incident in Sai Baba Colony has come as a shock.

The police have registered a case and are going through CCTV camera footage located in the neighbourhood to nab the culprits.