KUCHING: The Sarawak Forest Department has foiled an attempt to smuggle illegal timber using dump trucks near the Kemena Industrial Estate in Bintulu.
Its director Datuk Hamden Mohammad said five men, comprising four locals and one foreign national, were arrested in a raid at 8.20pm on Friday (April 25) when department personnel were conducting prevention and enforcement activities around the estate.
"They found five dump trucks carrying timber of various species and sizes.
"All the drivers failed to produce valid timber possession documents from the department," he said in a statement on Wednesday (April 30).
Hamden said the enforcement personnel then seized the dump trucks and illegal timber, valued at an estimated RM275,000.
The seized items were brought to the Bintulu regional forest office for further action.
Hamden added that the suspects will be charged in court under Section 96 of the Sarawak Forests Ordinance for unlawful possession of forest produce.
"We remain committed in our efforts to curb timber smuggling and illegal logging in Sarawak," he said.
