STF foils smuggling rackets inside forest reserve

Officers from the Mankulam Special Task Force (STF) camp have foiled two rackets involving the smuggling of Burutha trees and illegal sand mining being operated inside the Panikkulam Forest Reserve in Kanakarayankulam, Vavuniya.

Based on information received by the Commandant of the camp, the STF had conducted a raid inside the forest reserve and arrested two suspects who were engaged in illegal sand mining. They were also able to recover two tractors containing Burutha wood. 

The two suspects were handed over to the Mankulam Police while the consignment of wood was handed over to the Forest Department's Vavuniya office. 

Story and Pix by Romesh Madhusanka 

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