KOCHI: The state exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 62.56 lakhs in seven years as 1741 sandalwood trees were cut down and smuggled from protected forests and other areas in the state. Mainours have been recovered in 425 cases registered in this connection with this. The accused have been arrested only in 389 cases.

Sandalwood trees from the Mahadeva temple complex in Perumpilavu Thippilissery in Thrissur were the last to be smuggled from the state. Sandalwood trees were bought and smuggled in by misleading the temple authorities that they were Aquilaria trees. 12 trees were cut down. The accused in the case include a member of the temple trust and an employee.

A few days before this, three sandalwood trees in the State Municipal House near the State Police Headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram were cut and smuggled. The sandalwood tree at the Directorate of Technical Education also disappeared two months ago.