Red sander smugglers outsourcing Jawadhu tribals to legitimise their black money
Tiruvannamalai
Red sander smugglers and agents are hunting for ways to legitimise the unaccounted money accumulated by felling and smuggling the precious wood. They have literally outsourced the job to tribals of Jawadhu Hills, and are depositing the ill-gotten money into banks through them.
Sources in the Hills said ever since the government demonetised Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes, many smugglers and agents have been approaching neighbours, relatives and friends at Jawadhu Hill, asking them to deposit their illegal money into their respective bank accounts.
In fact, the price is being paid for the job. In return for their help, the tribals are receiving a few thousands from the agents and smugglers.
“They (red sander smugglers/agents) have been giving Rs 10,000 to Rs 49,000 to each person, asking them to pay in their respective accounts. They have also promised a few thousand rupees for helping them legitimise the black money earned through smuggling of red sander logs,” said a source familiar about the activities of the red sander smugglers in the hills.
In fact, cash flow to Indian Bank, the sole bank on the hill, in Jamunamaruthur has been not only non-stop but surpassing all records. Since November 10, crores of rupees have been credited in the Indian Bank.
“So far, the tribals have credited over Rs 10 crore and the footfalls are also on the increase day after day to credit Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currencies. Over 60 percent of the amount credited in the bank here is amassed through red sander smuggling activities,” said a government employee in the hill.
On November 13 alone, the customers of the Indian Bank have credited Rs 2.57 crore. “On regular days, the inflow of cash will not exceed Rs 12 lakh. Now, it is more than 10 times. We are wondering why they have not utilised the bank service all these years,” said an official.
A man familiar about the activities of red sander mafia and agents, who supply wood cutters from Jawadhu Hills, said that it was a tip of the iceberg. “The smugglers have promised 5,000 to Rs 10,000 to many in the hills and plain areas to legitimise their lakhs and lakhs of rupees,” said the 30 year-old man in Mel Kubsanavur, who is privy to the illegal activities.
They are also crediting the black money in banks in Polur, Chengam and Kannamangalam in Tiruvannamalai district and Vaniyambadi, Alangayam and Vellore City in Vellore district. “The smugglers are like bees in turning the black money into white. Smugglers comes in a group to Kanamangalam and are crediting the money with the help of locals,” claimed the source in Amirthi.
Going by the regular financial activities of the tribals, the amount of currencies credited in the bank is clearly example of money earned through illegal activities. “It should be probed by revenue intelligent and IT department to unearth the source of such the money,” said a senior police officer
Amount credited in bank in Jamunamaruthur (according to details availed from the Bank)
November 10 – Rs 74.33 lakh
November 11 – Rs 27.13 lakh
November 12 – Rs 1.30 crore
November 13 – Rs 2.57 crore
November 14 – Rs 98.57 lakh
November 15 – Rs 1.06 crore
November 16 – Rs 1.28 crore
November 17 – Rs 1.75 crore
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