21 July
FOREST officials seized Pyin-gadoe, a marketable species of hardwood weighing 1.7 tons in Htaukkyant Township, Min-galadon District, Yangon North District on Friday, though two suspects in possession of the hardwood remain at large.
At 10.35 a.m. on 19 July, a suspected Toyota Hiace car was seized by officials from Hlegu Township Forest Department while they were carrying out operations to prevent illegal logging along Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw expressway. Officials found 35 pieces of illegal hardwood tim-bers with an estimated value of K1.21 million in the suspected ve-hicle and confiscated it. However, the driver and his passenger fled from the scene.
Township police continue investigating the case in an at-tempt to arrest the suspects, who will face legal charges un-der Section 42 (a) of the existing Forest Law.
The Forest Department is making concerted efforts to crack down on illegal logging and smuggling in the region, with cooperation from residents and government departments.—Na-ing Lin (Hlegu) (Translated by Khaing Thanda Lwin)
