The case of arresting 8 illegal loggers in Que Phong: Serious nature, complicated details

Pretending to be looking for lost buffalo, 8 illegal loggers caught with homemade guns and drugs in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - Discovering illegal loggers, the working group of Cam Muon commune (Que Phong district) and the local forest rangers pretended to be people looking for lost buffaloes to approach. Afterwards, they arrested 3 groups of illegal loggers consisting of 8 subjects.

3 times of inspection and examination of the scene
After the People's Committee of Cam Muon commune coordinated with the local Forest Ranger force to patrol and arrest 8 subjects illegally exploiting natural forest wood in sub-zone 144 on July 23, 2019, up to now, the inspection and examination of the scene has been carried out 3 times.

Cam Muon Commune Working Group and local Forest Rangers arrested illegal loggers and their exhibits. Photo: Contributor

The patrol discovered and caught 3 groups and 8 subjects, which were specifically reported by the People's Committee of Cam Muon commune as follows: At the location with coordinates (497870-2152775583), 2 subjects were discovered and arrested while using chainsaws to cut wood. The amount of wood at the scene was 4 panels, with a volume of 0.561m3 (group 6 cinnamon wood); at the location with coordinates (497399-2152108756), 2 subjects were discovered and arrested while using chainsaws to cut wood. The amount of wood at the scene was 5 panels, with a volume of 0.525m3 (group 4 de wood); at the location with coordinates (497668-2152717311), 4 subjects were discovered and arrested while using chainsaws to cut wood. The amount of wood at the scene was 5 panels, with a volume of 0.560m3 (group 3 doi wood).

In addition to the illegal logging equipment, which were 4 chainsaws, the task force also discovered and seized 2 homemade guns and 13 small packages of drugs (the subjects confessed).

Upon receiving a report on the incident, determining that it was a serious incident, immediately afterwards, the People's Committee of Que Phong district directed the district police, the Forest Protection Department, the Procuracy... to conduct a crime scene investigation and clarify the violations.

The working group marked illegally logged timber. Photo: Contributor

On July 27, 2019, through expanded inspection, 10 more trees were discovered to have been cut down and sawn, with a total volume of 137 panels including 25.5m3 of various types of sawn timber.

On July 24, 2019, after receiving a report from the People's Committee of Que Phong district, on July 30, 2019, the Forest Protection Department established a working group to conduct an expanded inspection of sub-area 144. Due to the impact of storm No. 3 and heavy rain, the working group was able to inspect a part of the forest area in sub-area 144.

The results of the investigation revealed 7 more locations with 13 tree stumps being exploited and some sawn timber scattered in the forest. Based on the results of the inspection, the Forest Protection Department issued a document directing the handling and implementation of some forest protection solutions in Cam Muon commune, Que Phong district.

Because the comprehensive inspection of sub-area 144 has not been completed, on August 15, 2019, Que Phong Forest Protection Department continued to coordinate with the District Police and District Procuracy to organize additional inspection and examination.

Through this inspection, it was discovered that in sub-area 144, there were a total of 68 tree stumps that had been exploited for timber and 191 wooden boards scattered in the forest at 13 locations. Checking the 68 exploited tree stumps, there were 42 newly cut down trees from the beginning of July 2019 to present, the rest were trees that had been cut down or broken before. The main types of exploited wood were doi, de, and vu with diameters from 35 to 70cm.

Continue to investigate and clarify

As a result of the interrogation, the 8 subjects confessed that they all had permanent residence in Tuong Duong district. Of which, Huu Khuong commune had 6 subjects including: Kha Van Bang, Pit Van Chuyen, Pit Van Huy, Pit Van Ha, Cut Van Quan, Lu Van Xuan; Yen Tinh commune had 2 subjects including: Vi Van Hung, Lu Phi Gam.

The working group of Cam Muon commune and the local forest rangers arrested 8 illegal loggers along with chainsaws and homemade guns. Photo: Contributor

Through the authorities of Huu Khuong and Yen Tinh communes, the statements of the 8 subjects were confirmed to be accurate. Que Phong district police temporarily detained 3 subjects Kha Van Bang, Pit Van Chuyen, and Vi Van Hung because during the arrest process, 3 subjects were discovered to be involved in drug possession and use. The remaining 5 subjects were returned to their localities.

According to the forces participating in the inspection and examination of the scene, most of the felled trees had been cut and removed from the scene, some were lying at the base and scattered along the trails in the forest, including the direction towards Cam Muon and Yen Tinh communes. The number of felled trees and wood slabs towards Cam Muon commune (concentrated in plots 4, 11 and a few points in plot 5) mostly showed signs of being old; while the felled trees and wood slabs lying towards Yen Tinh commune (in plot 5) all showed signs of being cut recently, around July 2019.

Regarding the route of transporting wood from the forest, there are clearly two main routes. The first route, after being exploited, is pulled and gathered near the former gold mining area, following Huoi Hang stream to Huoi May and Cam villages (Cam Muon commune). The second route, the exploited wood is winched or pulled by buffalo and then rushed down the slope to Yen Tinh commune, Tuong Duong district.

A tree at area 5, sub-region 144 was cut down by illegal loggers. Photo: Contributor

These are the details in Document No. 1048/UBND, Que Phong District People's Committee directed the District Police to urgently complete the crime scene investigation, if there is sufficient evidence, initiate a criminal case to investigate, clarify and strictly handle the violators.

On August 21, 2019, the People's Committee of Que Phong district issued Document No. 1047/UBND to the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district, announcing the arrest of 8 subjects residing in 2 communes of Huu Khuong and Yen Tinh for illegal logging; directing the District Police to prosecute 3 subjects Kha Van Bang, Pit Van Chuyen, Vi Van Hung because during the arrest process, they were found to be involved in drug possession and use.

Que Phong District People's Committee requested Tuong Duong District People's Committee to direct functional forces and authorities of Huu Khuong and Yen Tinh communes to strengthen propaganda work, organize forces to prevent; coordinate with Que Phong District authorities to investigate and strictly handle the acts of law violators.