by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 30: The Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) has successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle illegal logs using dump trucks in the Kemena Industrial Estate area, Bintulu.
According to a press statement, enforcement officers from the Forest Department Sarawak intercepted these vehicles at around 8.20pm on April 25 while carrying out prevention and enforcement operations in the Kemena Industrial Estate area, Bintulu.
Forest Department Sarawak director Datu Hamden Mohammad said that they found five lorries loaded with illegal logs of various species and sizes. Five individuals – four local male and one Indonesian male – were detained during the operation. Upon inspection, none could produce valid timber ownership documentation from the Forest Department Sarawak.
Hamden said the team seized all five vehicles and their cargo of illegal logs, with an estimated total value of RM275,000. All seized items have since been taken to the Bintulu Regional Forest Office for further action.
The suspects will face charges under Section 96 of the Forests Ordinance 2015 (Cap 71) for unlawful possession of forest produce.
Hamden further reiterated the department’s unwavering commitment in combating any form of timber smuggling and illegal logging activities in the State. – DayakDaily
