A lorry carrying smuggled red sanders turned turtle in the wee hours of the day in the Chittoor District. The lorry carrying smuggled Red Sanders was spotted by the Forest officials in the Rangampet Village of the Chandragiri Mandal. The officials followed the lorry and tried to indicate the driver to stop. But knowing that he was being followed the driver sped away. The officials persisted and followed the lorry in a filmy style. As there was no option for escape, the driver of the lorry at top speed jumped out of the vehicle and escaped from the trailing sleuths.

Subsequently the lorry out of control turned upside down, spilling the sander-cargo. The forest officials seized the lorry and its cargo. Initial estimates revealed that the 3 ton-cargo would be worth Rs 60 lakhs. The accident occurred near the Balaji Dairy and no person was injured, in the melee. The officials have registered a case and investigations are on to check the gang behind the smuggling.

Red Sanders is a precious item and is being unlawfully smuggled by miscreants for a fancy price. The forest officials come across such hauls quite often. Forest officials have estimated that the cost of the haul would be approximately Rs.60 lakhs and it was a major haul.