Authorities shut down illegal timber processing facilities in Stung Treng province on August 03, 2019. FN
Stung Treng provincial Military Police shut down 17 illegal timber processing facilities on Saturday, while in another case, a timber warehouse in Oddar Meanchey province was also closed and 11 people summoned to the Mondulkiri Provincial Court for questioning over forestry crimes.
National Military Police and the National Committee for Prevention and Crackdown on Natural Resource Crimes spokesman Eng Hy said he could not provide further details.
However, Fresh News reported on Sunday that Stung Treng provincial Military Police, under commander Oeung Vandy, collaborated with the police, the Forestry Administration and local authorities to inspect 17 timber processing facilities in Stung Treng district on Saturday.
During the inspection, Fresh News said, the authorities found that all 17 facilities were operating illegally.
The authorities decided to immediately shut down the businesses and ordered the owners to promise not to engage in illegal activities.
“The joint task force confiscated timber [as yet unmeasured] from the illegally-operated facilities and it’s being stored by the Forestry Administration at the commune level,” Vandy was quoted as saying.
In a separate case, Hy said a joint task force led by Oddar Meanchey provincial Military Police deputy commander Ly Darith and comprising provincial Military Police, Trapaing Prasat district Military Police and local police cracked down on an illegal timber warehouse in Trapaing Prasat commune’s Trapaing Prasat village on Saturday.
Hy said 372 first-grade logs were confiscated and taken to the district Forestry Administration.
Meanwhile, in Mondulkiri province, 11 people were summoned to the provincial court to answer questions about their involvement in forestry crimes.
The court summonses were issued separately and signed by provincial court prosecutor Hieng Sopheak and deputy prosecutor Mam Vanda.
The 11 people included owners or employees of the Heng Leang, Vichery, Thach Wood (Cambodia), Pacific Logic, Pacific Green and Pacific Pearl companies and a 60-year-old warehouse owner.
