Goa, Aug. 3 -- The Range Forest Officer (RFO) of Collem has carried out a successful operation against the illegal smuggling of khair wood, leading to the detention of three individuals: Hasan Shaikh (35), Suraj Bhosle (33), and Biru Babu Patkare (24). The action followed intelligence inputs indicating illicit transportation of khair wood, a protected and ecologically significant timber species.

During the raid, officials seized several logs of khair wood estimated to be worth around Rs 30,000, along with a rickshaw allegedly used for transporting the timber. The three accused were reportedly caught red-handed while attempting to move the wood illegally, in clear violation of forest protection laws designed to combat deforestation and il...