Officers, headed by Forest Officer Prasanna Bella of the Hukkeri Forest Department, arrested an individual posing as a journalist, who was found carrying sandalwood disguised as a member of the media. They had affixed media markings on their car to facilitate smuggling. Acting on specific intelligence, authorities conducted a raid near Gudasa village in Hukkeri taluk of Belgaum district, where they seized 40 kg of sandalwood and the vehicle used for smuggling. The suspect, identified as Pundalika Bhajantri, was apprehended.
One imposter journalist was apprehended while others managed to evade capture. Inside Parasappa Bhajantri’s vehicle, a counterfeit YouTube ID belonging to Pundaleeka Bhajantri was discovered. The prevalence of fake YouTube reporters is on the rise in the border district of Belgaum, with this incident occurring within the jurisdiction of the Hukkeri police station.
