Mangaluru : The Dakshina Kannada district administration, mines and geology department and police continued their drive against illegal sand transportation on Thursday.

The mines and geology department conducted a raid at Padu village in Bantwal taluk and seized three traditional boats which were being used to extract sand from the Nethravathi river illegally.

The officials’ found the accused at the ferry near Arkula. Another raid was conducted by a team of officials led by Bantwal tahsildar Rashmi S R at Thumbe. Tents built by labourers engaged in illegal sand mining were removed by the officials.

District sand task force chairman and deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh had warned criminal cases against those who are engaged in illegal sand mining and transportation. The DC has instructed that only those who have permits may transport sand between 6am to 6pm.

Recently, district minister Kota Srinivas Poojary had directed officials to act against illegal sand transporters sternly. Following this, the district administration had intensified its drive against illegal sand transportation, especially to Kerala.

Mangaluru South sub-division of the Mangaluru city police has booked nine cases of illegal sand transportation in November. Similarly, Dakshina Kannada police also have taken action against illegal sand mining and transportation. The city police seized many trucks that were transporting sand illegally to Kerala. Cases under Section 379 of the IPC (punishment for theft), which is non-bailable, have been registered against all the accused.