PALAKKAD: The vigilance unit of the forest department seized 1100 kg of sandalwood logs which were being smuggled from Manjeri to Tamil Nadu. The sandalwood was found in 57 bags in a secret compartment in a lorry with Tamil Nadu registration. Abdul Salam (34) of Thrikkadiri, Ottapalam and Anas (22) of Kondotty were arrested from the lorry. The accused were apprehended during a joint inspection conducted by Palakkad-Nemmara divisions at Olavakkode yesterday morning.

Accused testified that the seized sandalwood belonged to a person named Kuttiman from Manjeri. The accused have smuggled sandalwood in this manner before. The source of the sandalwood is being investigated, forest officials said.