Idukki: A sandalwood smuggler was arrested in Marayoor, Idukki, after being rescued from a crocodile-infested river. The accused, Arumugham (52) from Karmadurai in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district, was taken into custody on Monday. His relative and accomplice, Ilayaraja, managed to escape.

The incident happened around 7 pm on Sunday when a Karimutti Forest Station patrol found the two men attempting to cut and smuggle sandalwood near the Alampetty Eco Shop. They fled through the Chinnar forest and were later spotted near Kombanod Bridge around 11 pm. Both jumped into the river to evade arrest. Ilayaraja reached the far bank, while Arumugham held onto vegetation midstream to avoid drowning. 

Forest officials could not enter the water due to the presence of crocodiles. Tamil Nadu’s Udumalpettai Range Officer and the Fire and Rescue Services joined the effort. Arumugham was rescued and arrested around 3 am. Civil Forest Officer K V Vinod led the operation with beat forest officers and watchers. The sandalwood logs were seized, and the accused was produced in court.

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