Red sanders worth Rs 35 lakh were seized by officials attached to the highway patrol police here in the early hours of Saturday.
The catch was made when the officials were conducting vehicle checks on the Chennai-Mumbai National Highway near Ranipet on the Andhra Pradesh border. When they attempted to stop a lorry that was proceeding to Chennai, the driver accelerated and sped away with two others in the vehicle.
The lorry was later found stationed near Kannigapuram with the three persons missing. The vehicle and 154 red sander logs weighing around 5 tonnes were seized and taken to the Melpadi police station.
Arcot Forest Ranger Vijay said the red sanders were axed in the forests of Andhra Pradesh and were being smuggled to Chennai. A hunt was launched for the three persons who fled the scene.
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