Authorities seize illegal timber, goods

Under the guidance of illegal trade eradication steering committee, a team led by the Department of Forest inspected the vehicles on 5 and 6 January at the Koesu checkpoint in Pathein Township and near Meikthalin village, Yekyi Township acting on the tips-off. The authorities seized 53 tonnes of illegal teak and eight tonnes of other type of timber, totaling 61 tonnes.
Similarly, following a piece of secret information, about 1.8 tonnes of other timber were confiscated on 7 January at Nayla Thitsar inspection gate in Kyokyarkwin village of Taungup town, Rakhine State.
The authorities arrested K14 million worth of wooden pattern making machine, approximately K16 million valued motorcycle spare parts and over K3.07 million worth consumer goods at the terminal of Myanmar Industrial Port on 8 January, which are imported by China without mentioning in customs declaration form. The overall value of illegal goods is estimated K33.172 million. The authorities filed those criminal cases.
Afterwards, on 9 January, a team led by Forest Department investigated the forest reserves in Thayawady and Toungoo districts, Bago Region following the tip-off and illicit logging and extraction were found. The authorities seized about 6.35 tonnes of illegal timers.
Between 5 and 9 January, a team led by Forest Department, under the guidance of illegal trade eradication steering committee, confiscated 69.15 tonnes of various timbers. On 8 January, the authorities seized illegal goods with an estimated value of K33.172 million. They proceed to file the cases under the existing law.—MNA