Forest officials have arrested two persons when they were trying to smuggle out sandalwood pieces stolen from a private farmland close to Western Ghats mountain ranges near Shenbagathoppu.
During a routine patrolling forest personnel had encountered two persons on Shenbagathoppu-W. Pudupatti ghat section of Azhagarkoil beat in Srivilliputtur Meghamalai Tiger Reserve.
They were identified as Gubendran, 55, of Varudhanadu in Theni district and Solairaja, 51, of Gandhigram.
When the forest personnel checked their belongings, they found that the two persons were in possession of several pieces of sandalwood weighing over 8 kg.
During interrogation, they reportedly told that they had stolen the sandalwood from a farm. The forest personnel also seized axe, knife, torchlight and a motorbike. The forest officials are on the lookout for one more accused involved in the crime.