Illegal teak, smugglers seized

Yangon,

forest resources of the State.

According to information on illegal sawing of teak at the saw

mill of Golden Land Company at No 540, Ward 58, Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township

given by a person, a combined team comprising members of the local intelligence

unit, Myanmar Police Force and Forest Department searched the saw mill and

seized 46.5194 tons of illegal teak on 16-6-2002. The authorities, acting on

further information that the company was sawing timber at Kyweshin village in

Pyinmana Township, seized 1.45 tons of illegal teak.

The company had illegally sawed the timber and exported them

together with legal ones abroad. Severe action is being taken against the

company and officials. Another combined team comprising members of the local

intelligence unit, MPF and Forest Department, acting on information that illegal

teak arrived in Sittway via Paletwa Township on 30 June 2002, searched the

region. The authorities seized seven tons of illegally sawn teak on board the

motor schooner of U Toe Aung in Hsatyoekya Creek in Sittway and 11 tons of

illegally sawn teak on the truck with number plates Ga/5852 of Maung Tha Tun,

son of U Maung Ni of Kondan Ward, Sittway, totalling 18 tons of illegally sawn

teak.

Similarly, a team comprising members of the local

intelligence unit, MPF and Forest Department, acting on information on stockpile

of illegal timber near Bawnatgyi village, Bago Township, given by local

officials, searched the area and seized ownerless 17.4187 tons of illegal teak

on 26 June 2002. Authorities concerned continue to expose illegal timber

smugglers.