In a breakthrough operation, Karkala Rural Police have arrested three individuals in connection with a major sandalwood theft that took place on the night of June 16 at Dinesh Shettigar’s plantation in Nitte village.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
Ganesh (44) – Resident of Ayyappa Nagar, near Nehru Durga High School, Kukkundoor
Santosh (35) – Resident of Marne village, Karkala taluk
Moyudeen alias Moyidu Kunj (60) – Resident of Ira village, Bantwal taluk
Nine sandalwood trees had been illegally felled and stolen from the plantation. The stolen logs, valued at Rs4 lakh, were recovered during the investigation. The trio admitted to committing similar thefts under Shirva Police Station limits.
The investigation was led by PSIs Prasanna M S (law and order and traffic) and Sundar (investigation) under the guidance of SP Hariram Shankar and ASP Dr Harsha Priyamvada, with field oversight by Circle Inspector Manjappa D R.
The accused have been produced before the court. The case continues to be under investigation for potential links to other sandalwood thefts in the region.
