2,400 pieces of timber worth RM3 million seized in Bera

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Dr Mohd Hizamri (left) inspects the seized logs at the location of the raid. — Bernama photo

BERA: The Pahang Forestry Department (JPNP) confiscated 2,400 pieces of timber estimated to be worth more than RM3 million which were believed to have been logged illegally from the Chini Forest Reserve and the Chini Forest Reserve Extension last Saturday.

JPNP director Datuk Dr Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin said the seized logs involved high-value timber from the meranti and keruing species estimated to be 2,500 tons in weight.

“The raid was carried out on Saturday involving 60 State Forestry Department personnel after receiving information from the public and the raid came across nine heaps of the logs around the forest reserve area. Initial investigation revealed that the group had started operations since early February based on the tree stumps left as well as the latex left. Subsequently, the department had detained four local men aged in the 20’s up to the 60’s who were then carrying the split wood out,” he told reporters after making an inspection at the location of the raid.

They were all released later on police bail after their statements were taken to assist investigation under Section 81 (1) (b) and Section 15 of the National Forestry Act 1984 for possession of forest products.

During the raid, his men also seized three tractors and two units of four-wheel-drive vehicles and a Ford lorry.

“We will not compromise with such trespassers who appeared to be professionals because the place that they had trespassed was not the boundary but almost 4.5 kilometres from the approved area,” he said.

He added that the State Forestry Department would utilise in the best manner the RM1 million allocation given by the government to further empower the department including purchasing the drone and new vehicles to check on illegal logging. — Bernama