The estimate committee headed by E.T Muhammed Basheer MLA said that smuggling of sandalwood and other forest products has become rampant in Kerala State during the last two years. Briefing mediapersons on the findings of the estimate committee, Basheer said that the forest mafia was operating with the support of forest and police officials. The fact that the forest officials failed to explain how sandalwood and sandalwood oil worth over Rs.1 crore was stolen from the strong room of the Palakkad Forest Divisional Office at Olavakode is enough proof for the nexus between the forest officials and the forest mafia, Basheer said.