5 Chinese held in India for sandalwood smuggling

NEW DELHI - Indian customs department Wednesday seized 179 kg of red sandalwood, 2 kg of gold bars and 5 kg of drugs from the city airport and arrested 11 persons, including five Chinese nationals, said local media.

Airport customs Assistant Commissioner R. S. Meena said 179 kg of red sandalwood worth 180,000 rupees (3,000 U.S. dollars) in India was seized at the NSC Bose International Airport, according to Press Trust of India.

Five Chinese nationals had come to the airport carrying huge bags to board the Kolkata-Bangkok Thai Airways flight TG-314 scheduled for departure early Wednesday morning.

"On suspicion, customs officers opened the bags and found the red sandalwood which was banned from trade," said the report.

The Chinese nationals were arrested under Wildlife Protection Act and Foreign Trade Act, Meena was quoted as telling a press conference.

This is the fourth time this month that Chinese nationals have been arrested for sandalwood smuggling at or near the airport. About 600 kg of sandalwood, including the red variety, was seized from 19 Chinese nationals since November 15, said the report.