Clarifying three major cases of illegal logging in Nghe An.

(Baonghean.vn) - In 2017, the Nghe An Provincial Police, in coordination with relevant agencies, investigated and clarified three prominent cases related to forest exploitation and protection.

1 -In early 2017, the Ky Son District Police received a report from the public stating that illegal logging was occurring in the L10 border guard forest area in Na Ngoi commune, Ky Son district, and in sub-areas 499, 500A, and 500C of the Nam Can commune border guard forest, Ky Son district.

Through on-site investigation, it was determined that a total of 19 trees were illegally felled in sub-area 490 (Na Ngoi commune), including 10 Pơ mu trees with a volume of 23.12 m3 and 9 Sa mu trees with a volume of 55.7 m3.

The confiscated items were gathered at the yard of the Ky Son Protective Forest Management Board. (Photo: Archival image)

The total number of illegally felled trees in sub-areas 499, 500A, and 500C of the Nậm Càn commune's protection forest is 36 Sa mu trees with a volume of 127 m3 (whole, unsawn timber), and 37 sawn timber planks with a volume of 4.623 m3.

Following a proactive investigation, the Ky Son District Police have investigated, clarified, and prosecuted 4 cases involving 12 defendants for the crime of "Violating regulations on forest exploitation and protection".

Simultaneously, an expanded investigation led to the arrest and prosecution of one suspect, the head of the Nam Can Forest Management and Protection Station, under the Ky Son District Protective Forest Management Board, for the crime of "Negligence causing serious consequences".

2-On July 5, 2017, the Que Phong District Police received a report from the Que Phong District Forest Management Unit stating that: In April 2017, during forest patrols and inspections, the Que Phong District Forest Management Unit discovered that in the forest area belonging to sub-areas 83 and 88, Na Bon village, Tien Phong commune, Que Phong district, three production forest areas (mixed bamboo and miscellaneous timber forests) with an area of ​​226,510 m2 had been illegally cut down.

Following the coordinated implementation of investigative measures, the Que Phong District Police quickly investigated, clarified, and prosecuted two cases involving eight defendants for the crime of "destroying forests".

Authorities conduct an investigation at the scene of forest encroachment. Photo: archival material.

3 - From July 11, 2017, the Quy Chau District Police investigated, clarified, and prosecuted 3 cases involving 3 defendants for the act of "destruction of property" in the upstream protection forest area of ​​Co Ba Forestry Farm, belonging to Song Hieu Forestry and Agriculture One-Member Limited Company.

The investigation revealed that the suspects had illegally cut down 17,957 square meters of protected forest for the purpose of planting acacia trees, causing property damage worth 68.1 million VND.

In addition, in 2017, authorities also detected 893 violations of regulations on forest exploitation, protection, and development, as well as the illegal transportation, storage, and trading of forest products.

Gia Huy