Coimbatore: A 37-year-old man, Vinoth Kumar from Uthamapalayam in Theni district, was arrested on Wednesday for cutting down and smuggling sandalwood trees from a high-security area in Coimbatore. The theft took place on June 11 at Red Fields, near Race Course, an area that houses judges’ quarters and is close to defence and police establishments.
According to Race Course police, Vinoth and his accomplice illegally entered the premises of the old sub-judges’ quarters on Kamaraj Road and axed five sandalwood trees. They managed to smuggle four of them, leaving behind one large tree.
Following a detailed investigation and tracking efforts, police traced Vinoth to Theni and arrested him. Preliminary reports revealed that he has five previous cases related to sandalwood smuggling registered against him.
A case has been filed, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest his accomplices. Forest department officials also inspected the crime scene and collected the stumps and remains of the cut trees.
The incident occurring so close to senior police officers’ camp offices and key defence installations has raised serious questions about night patrolling efficiency and the security of sensitive zones in the city.
Vinoth Kumar has been remanded in judicial custody.