Sandalwood Scandal: Thieves Threaten, Violence Erupts

The idyllic tranquility of a western region is under siege. The fragrant lure of sandalwood, a valuable commodity, has spawned a wave of brazen theft, leaving residents powerless and terrorised. This is no longer a mere case of pilfering; it’s a descent into violence and intimidation.

“A curse,” is how one resident described the escalating theft.

This illegal trade, a persistent wound for years, has recently taken a sinister turn.

Confrontations with the thieves are no longer met with apologies, but with aggression and the chilling threat of violence.

In a chilling incident last January, a resident, startled by a figure lurking in the twilight, confronted the trespasser.

The man, brandishing a sabre, launched a vicious attack, leaving the resident with a bloodied arm requiring hospital treatment at Victoria, Candos.

Yet, the justice system faltered. Despite the evidence, the police refused to record the complaint.

This, we understand, is not an isolated incident.

The reign of terror continued. Residents now live in fear, subjected to threats with blades and knives, some even finding a blade pressed against their throats.

One brave soul, daring to question the intruders, was met with a chilling lie about a nearby construction site.

When the lie was exposed, a machete was brandished in response. “It’s become routine,” they lamented.

The sandalwood bandits, ruthlessly exploiting the vulnerability of the area, are cutting through fences near the main road, using fallow land and drains to access the coveted sandalwood groves at the back of the region.

Residents frequently witnessed these outsiders, laden with overflowing raffia sacks, making their brazen retreats.

One resident, living near the drain exit, confirmed the constant procession.

But the problem is far more insidious.

Tucked within this region lives an individual with a shadowed past, their name linked to several high-profile cases, including the infamous Franklin saga and a chilling terrorism investigation.

This individual, previously convicted on drug charges, appeared to be at the heart of the sandalwood crisis.

Some of the thieves, caught in the act, have brazenly confessed to seeking guidance from this individual, whose apparent approval emboldened their criminal behaviour.

The situation is further compounded by the limitations of the security firm hired to protect the residents.

The guards, hamstrung by their authority, are powerless to detain or even hold the sandalwood thieves.

So, what is the answer? “It’s simple,” one resident pleaded.

“We need someone with the proper licenses to harvest the sandalwood and remove it completely.”

Several other regions have adopted this approach to prevent the same catastrophe from unfolding.

“Sandalwood thrives in arid areas, reaching maturity in a mere five to seven years, making it a constant target.”

To eradicate this scourge, residents believe a comprehensive plan to harvest the sandalwood from the fallow lands is the only way to restore peace and security.

Source: l’Express