These days, they seem to have found a penchant for sandalwood as it has emerged the most sought-after commodity in African countries. Though the passengers managed to produce local purchase bills, they had no permission to carry the sandalwood from India, an official told The Hindu. While Mustafa was carrying 99 kg of sandalwood in three bags, Osman was accused of smuggling 5.4 kg sandalwood stick. Another officer, who interrogated the ‘smugglers’, said that India, especially parts of South India, is the largest market for sandalwood globally. “The accused Sudanese said that sandalwood has great value in grey market in their country and it is mostly used in medicines,” he said, adding that the caught smugglers were “just couriers”.

Source: The Hindu November 16, 2019 19:29 UTC