Prosecution of 6 defendants in the case of 13 Pơ mu trees being cut down in Pu Huong Nature Reserve

(Baonghean.vn) – On September 10, 2017, at compartments 9 and 13 of Sub-compartment 148, Pu Huong Nature Reserve, an incident occurred in which 13 precious po mu trees were cut down. Through investigation and verification, Que Phong District Police have so far identified 6 related subjects.

The Investigation Police Agency of Que Phong District Police issued a decision to prosecute 6 subjects involved in the case of cutting down 13 po mu trees in Pu Huong Nature Reserve, including: Lo Van Tung (born 1990); Lo Van Panh (born 1987); Lo Van Tu (born 1986), Lo Van Nhat (born 1989); Lo Van Be (born 1996) and Vi Van Truyen (born 1986). All 6 of these subjects reside in Cam Muon Commune, Que Phong District.

The investigation and prosecution of the above 6 defendants was clarified by the Investigation Police Agency of Que Phong District Police as follows:

On September 10, 2017, the working group of Cam Muon Forest Protection Station (Pu Huong Nature Reserve) including Mr. Nguyen Viet Phong, Vo Van Nghia, and Lo Van Chau organized a forest patrol in sub-area 148, in Quang Phong commune. At 12 noon of the same day, they discovered 2 groups using chainsaws to cut down po mu trees.

The subject was recorded by the working group of Cam Muon Forest Protection Station. Photo: PV

The task force proceeded to capture the first group, arresting one subject, and the other subject escaped. The arrested subject was named Lo Van Phuong, residing in Cam Cang village, Cam Muon commune (subject Phuong later also escaped). With the second group, the task force recorded the subject cutting the tree; the subjects escaped. At the scene, the task force seized 2 chainsaws, and determined that 11 po mu trees were cut down.

On September 20, 2017 and October 26, 2017, Que Phong District Police coordinated with the People's Procuracy, Que Phong Forest Protection Department and Pu Huong Nature Reserve Forest Protection Department to conduct a crime scene investigation and take samples for examination. Thereby, it was determined that a total of 13 po mu trees were cut down, with a total volume of 15.4m3.

A po mu tree in Pu Huong Nature Reserve was cut down on September 10, 2017. Photo: PV

On September 26, 2017, the Investigation Police Agency of Que Phong District Police issued Decision No. 78: "Violation of regulations on forest exploitation and protection" occurred in Quang Phong Commune, Que Phong District. Through investigation, it was determined that there were a number of subjects residing in Cam Muon Commune. Que Phong District Police coordinated with Cam Muon Commune Police to summon the subjects; mobilize and propagate to surrender to enjoy leniency under the law.

From September 26 to 30, 2017, all 6 subjects above came to the Investigation Police Agency of Que Phong District Police to surrender for illegal logging in Pu Huong Nature Reserve.

Checking and verifying that the po mu forest area in Pu Huong Nature Reserve was cut down by illegal loggers. Photo: PV

On November 1, 2017, the Investigation Police Agency of Que Phong District Police decided to request an appraisal to identify the group of wood illegally exploited. The Forest Industry Research Institute (under the Vietnam Forestry Science Institute) identified the wood samples requested for appraisal as po mu wood, belonging to group IIA in "Group II, forest plants and animals restricted from exploitation and use for commercial purposes" in the "List of endangered and rare animals and plants" issued with Decree No. 32/2006/ND-CP.

With this appraisal result, on November 7, 2017, the Investigation Police Agency of Que Phong District Police prosecuted the above 6 suspects in Decisions No. 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121; continued to expand the investigation to fight and clarify the subjects related to the case.

Nhat Lan - Dao Tuan