Forest Dept foils RM275,000 illegal logs smuggling in Bintulu, five detained
KUCHING (April 30): The Sarawak Forest Department (SFD) foiled an attempt by five men to smuggle illegal logs using tipper lorries in the Kemena Industrial Estate area of Bintulu last Friday (April 25).
SFD director Datu Hamden Mohammad said the operation was carried out around 8.20pm during routine patrols by enforcement officers.
'There were five lorries found loaded with illegal logs of various species and sizes. Four local men and one Indonesian were detained,' he said in a statement.
Checks revealed that the lorry drivers were unable to produce valid timber ownership documents issued by the department.
All five lorries and their timber cargo — estimated to be worth RM275,000 — were seized and taken to the Bintulu Regional Forest Office for further investigation.
The suspects would be charged under Section 96 of the Forests Ordinance, 2015 (Cap 71) for unlawful possession of forest produce.
Hamden reaffirmed the department's commitment to combating illegal logging and timber smuggling across Sarawak. Bintulu illegal logs Sarawak Forest Department smuggle
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