“We confiscated the precious wood being smuggled to Khasa. It seems that smugglers found a new way to smuggle red sandalwood on a passenger bus in order to escape arrest,” said Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar BC. Police said that the driver and his helper managed to flee the scene.

According to sources, smuggling activities are on the rise with large quantity of red sandalwoods stored in various places in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Kavre, Banepa and Panauti.

Red sandalwood is used for various purposes including manufacturing medicines, which is in high demand in China. One kilogram red sandalwood fetches Rs 18,000 in China.

The precious wood is said to be smuggled to Nepal after collecting them from forests in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in India and, thereafter, to China.

It is believed that smugglers are using alternative routes like Bigu in Dolakha and Rasuwagadhi in Rasuwa to smuggle red sandalwood after Tatopani customs office tightened their operations.

Senior Superintendent of Police Subodh Ghimire said he has directed police posts to control  vegetation and wildlife smuggling.