109 Illegal Rosewood Logs Seized in Chiang Rai

Authorities seized 109 large rosewood logs after tracking two trucks in Chiang Rai, a northern border province of Thailand. National parks officials and police stopped the vehicles on Highway 1020 on Sunday night after receiving a tip about a lumber mill storing logs for illegal processing.

Officials who searched the mill in Ban Pong Hueng, in Huai Sak subdistrict of Muang district, found that many logs had recently been removed. The search prompted a wider operation across the province. Highway police later stopped two 10-wheel trucks rented from Thaicrane Chiangrai Ltd and detained their drivers.

When officials removed the tarpaulins covering the cargo, they found 62 logs of Burmese rosewood, locally known as pradu, on one truck and 47 on the other. The drivers could not provide legal licenses or information about the timber’s origin, according to Attapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Officials said the logs appeared pristine and had not previously been used in construction or other work. They said that condition indicated the timber had been harvested illegally. The drivers, vehicles and logs were taken to Forest Protection Unit No. 5 for legal proceedings.

Attapol said the investigation was being expanded to identify the investors behind the suspected illegal logging operation.