Staff Reporter, Chirang 12: In a significant breakthrough against the illegal timber trade, a coordinated operation by Sidli Police and officials from the Chirang Forest Department resulted in the interception of a container truck suspected of transporting smuggled Burmese teakwood. Acting on specific intelligence, the joint team launched the operation late Sunday night, stopping the ten-wheeler vehicle along National Highway 27 near Kashikotra, falling under the jurisdiction of Sidli Police Station. The container truck, bearing Uttar Pradesh registration number UP 21 AN 7131, was found to be carrying a large consignment of timber estimated to be worth Rs 25 lakh. Authorities confirmed that the seized wood is Burmese teak—a prized variety known for its durability and high market value—being transported without any legal documentation. Officials have since taken the container into custody and are investigating the supply chain behind the smuggling attempt. Preliminary findings suggest the consignment was part of a wider cross-border operation involving illegal timber trade, though the exact origin and destination of the shipment remain unclear. “Efforts are underway to trace the source of the timber and identify the syndicate involved,” an investigating officer said, adding that multiple agencies are now collaborating to crack down on the network. This latest seizure highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing the illegal trade in forest products, particularly in sensitive border regions. The probe remains active, with further arrests and seizures not being ruled out in the coming days.
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