Sindhupalchowk, December 17:

A policeman at the Barhebise area police office has been found guilty of smuggling red sandalwood. A Truck Containers’ Association official said the container used to ferry red sandalwood belonged to head constable Kesar Raut.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said Raut had purchased the container van last year. Driver of the container van Hira Raut was Kesar’s younger brother, he added.

Sources said Kesar was transferred to the zonal police office for his suspected involvement in smuggling red sandalwood. Kesar had also threatened to kill a local journalist when he reported Kesar’s involvement in the smuggling.

DSP Sahkul Bahadur Thapa said he had no knowledge whether the said container van belonged to Raut. He added that it had been seized and sent to the forest office.