Mangaluru: Nine trucks have been seized for illegal transport of sand by officials of the Mines and Geology Department in and around the city on Wednesday. 
Four trucks near Hoigebazar in the southern part of the city, close to Nethravati river were seized by the officials. It is learnt that the trucks were parked to get sand loads from the river banks.
Five sand-laden trucks were seized near Addur on the banks of Phalguni (Gurupura) and were handed over to the jurisdictional Bajpe police after having collected Rs. 60,000 as penalty.
Sand excavation has been banned by the district administration during the monsoon – between June and August. As a result, frequent attempts are being made to transport sand within as well as outside the district.
Senior geologist Nagendrappa, officials including Somashekhara Murthy, Mahadevappa and driver Channappa were involved in the operation.
