The Interpol has reportedly issued a purple notice, on the international red sanders smuggling that originates from Andhra Pradesh.

Stating that smuggling was on the rise, the Deccan Chronicle reported that the notice was issued to 190 member countries for information on the methods used by these smugglers.

The request for a notice was reportedly sent to the Interpol by the CBI, on behalf of the Andhra police.

"Enforcement agencies in India are regularly intercepting red sanders consignments at various customs ports, airports, post offices and areas near international borders...the criminal networks use locals around its natural habitats to illegally cut red sanders trees from forests," DC quotes the notice as saying.

Purple notices are issued by the Interpol “to seek or provide information on modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals.”

Red sanders are indigenous to the Eastern Ghats in Andhra and grow mainly in the Seshachalam hill ranges spread across Chittoor and Kadapa districts in the Rayalaseema region.

The wood has a huge demand abroad, especially in China and Japan.

The Andhra government often seizes several tonnes of logs every year during combing operations by special forces in the forests.

The logs are often auctioned later by the state.

There are three grades of logs based on the quality of the wood - Grade A is sold for around Rs 1.5 crore per tonne, Grade B for around Rs 55 lakh and and Grade C fetches between Rs 15-35 lakh.