Commode container 'morphs' into fragrant red sanders

In what appears to be a smuggling plot 'inspired' by the film Pushpa, a truck carrying a sealed container of Western commode toilet seats mysteriously disappeared after a customs check.

- Ashish Singh

In what appears to be a smuggling plot inspired' by the film Pushpa, a truck carrying a sealed container of Western commode toilet seats mysteriously disappeared after a customs check. Shortly after, a truck with the same details as the one with the missing container arrived at the BMCT Port Terminal (Nhava Sheva) containing 9.6 metric tonnes of red sanders (red sandalwood) a much sought-after commodity often shrouded in secrecy. The smuggling syndicate behind this operation seems to have executed its plan with theatrical precision, until its luck ran out.

Both the missing and the replacement containers seemed to have been meticulously loaded to weigh exactly 9.6 metric tonnes each, as recorded on the customs clearance documents, to avoid suspicion.

As this illicit cargo was on the verge of being shipped internationally, inteligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB-Export) of the Customs, received a crucial tip-off. Responding with urgency, a team of 15 officers essioumahigh-stakes operation on the night of September 3. Their decisive action led to the successful tracking and interception of the consignment, unravelling a sophisticated smuggling plotinvolving red sanders.