Timber smuggling attempt concealed beneath bamboo foiled in Bagdogra, Burma teak worth twenty five lakh seized

Bagdogra, 25th April: In a significant operation, Bagdogra forest officials foiled an attempt to smuggle timber concealed beneath a load of bamboo and seized a large quantity of Burma teak.

According to Forest Department sources, officials conducted a late-night checkpoint inspection at Gossainpur, Bagdogra on Friday. During the inspection, a lorry bearing a Maharashtra registration number, reportedly carrying bamboo, was intercepted. The vehicle attempted to evade the checkpoint by crashing through the barrier, prompting officials to give chase.

The driver later abandoned the vehicle near College More and fled the scene. Forest personnel subsequently seized the lorry.

Upon inspection, officials discovered a substantial quantity of Burma teak hidden beneath the bamboo consignment. The estimated market value of the seized timber is around ₹25 lakh.

The Forest Department has launched a detailed investigation into the entire incident.