ED seizes properties worth over ₹11 crore in Kher wood smuggling case in Gujarat

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized 14 properties worth ₹11 crore in connection with a Kher wood smuggling racket, allegedly involving two men from Godhra and other accused. The action has reportedly caused panic among those involved in illegal timber smuggling.

As per reports, the case originated after the Gujarat Forest Department detected large-scale smuggling of Kher wood. Acting on intelligence, forest officials raided the Shalimar Enterprise depot in Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh and seized around 2,055 metric tonnes of Kher wood, allegedly stolen from forests in Gujarat.

The seized timber was transported by the forest department in 247 trucks to the Mandvi depot in Surat. Following the seizure, the Surat Forest Department registered a case on June 14, 2024. 

During the investigation, authorities detected large-scale financial transactions linked to the racket, prompting the ED to join the probe.

Investigators subsequently found the involvement of several individuals, including Mushtaq Adam Tasia and Tahir Ahmed Hussain of Godhra, and Arif Ali Amjad Ali Makrani of Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh. 

So far, eight accused have been arrested in connection with the case.

As part of its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the ED has attached 14 properties collectively valued at ₹11.30 crore, belonging to the accused, including Mushtaq Adam Tasia, Tahir Ahmed Hussain and others.

Kher wood smuggling is prohibited under forest laws. Kher trees are used in the production of katha, and officials said the accused had allegedly been illegally felling Kher trees in Gujarat’s forests and selling them to katha-manufacturing units outside the state, earning crores of rupees through illicit means.