India, Feb. 27 -- An illegal sawmill was busted and equipment worth lakhs of rupees was seized in Bhadrak during a surprise raid carried out by the police in coordination with the forest department on Wednesday.

Details of the operation: Sources reported that Bhadrak police received a tip-off regarding an illegal sawmill operating at Haladidihi Chhak under Puruna Bazar police station limits. Subsequently, a team led by Bhadrak City DSP Sambit Majhi raided the place and discovered that the sawmill was operating without a valid license.

Value of incriminating evidence:

During the investigation, the Forest department staff immediately seized machinery worth over Rs 3 lakh, along with a vehicle loaded with processed timber from a Neem tree...