Bagdogra, 21st March: An attempt to smuggle sal timber concealed under rice husk was foiled by the Bagdogra Forest Department, preventing the illegal consignment from being transported to Bihar.
According to sources, a pickup van was intercepted at the Gossainpur checkpoint in Bagdogra, where illicit sal timber was recovered. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Babai Debnath, was arrested in connection with the incident.
Forest department officials stated that the timber was being hidden under a layer of rice husk to avoid detection. The consignment was reportedly being transported from Salbari in Siliguri with the intent to smuggle it into Bihar.
The accused was produced before the Siliguri Sub-Divisional Court on Friday. The Bagdogra Forest Department has launched further investigation into the matter.