India, May 8 -- The forest department seized 201kg of smuggled sandalwood from a car in a raid conducted at Jadhavwadi village in Otur forest range in Junnar forest division on Tuesday.

According to officials, based on a tip-off, a forest department patrol team intercepted a white Creta for inspection at around 8pm. While the driver, later identified as Lahu Somnath Dhule, managed to flee with the car keys taking advantage of the darkness, officials managed to get his mobile when they tried to nab him.

The officials found eight sacks of sandalwood pieces weighing 201.057kg, along with a digital weighing machine, an Apple phone from the seized car. The seized items are estimated to be Rs.15,00,950.

A case has been registered against the...