Conservation agency seizes illegal ebony worth Rp100m
Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, S. Sulawesi | Wed, 06/23/2010 10:02 PM
South Sulawesi Natural Conservation Agency seized 200 illegal ebony logs worth up to Rp 100 million (US$ 11,074), being stored at a warehouse in the Makassar Industrial Complex, on Wednesday.
The agency’s protection chief, Faat Rudhianto, said the perpetrators allegedly smuggled the logs from Malili in East Luwu district. This type of wood is only found in protected and conservation forests, he said.
The agency has questioned truck driver Baharuddin who brought the logs to Makassar. He said the logs were to be used for the furniture industry. The agency will continue its search for the smugglers.
Faat said the suspects faced a maximum of five years’ imprisonment and Rp 1 billion in fines for violating the 1999 Forestry Law.
