The Assam forest department has sought the help of its Chennai counterpart to solve the Rs 12-crore sandalwood controversy that has rocked the department, with several top officials under suspicion. The consignment of 60 metric tonnes of red sandalwood believed to have been procured from forest brigand Veerappan was detained by the Kamrup forest division when the transporter was trying to procure transit permit to take the consignment to Moreh in Manipur. The consignment had originated from Chennai and was brought to Guwahati through rail. The problem started when the Guwahati range officer issued the permit without the approval of the divisional forest office, which had detained the consignment. It is said that Guwahati range officer issued the permit after receiving a directive from a top authority of the forest department