238 arrested for timber theft

238 arrested for timber theft

SURABAYA: A forest raid, code-named "Brush Operation", has
resulted in the arrest of 238 people in Jombang and Nganjuk who
are suspected of stealing 600 cubic meters of teakwood from
surrounding forests.

"We expect that court hearings will be held soon to try all
the suspects, some of which are members of the Armed Forces
(ABRI)," Marsanto, a provincial government official in charge of
security, agrarian and public affairs, said yesterday.

According to Antara, the market price of illegal timber ranges
between Rp 200,000 (US$85) and Rp 300,000 a meter cubic.

He said 850 mobile brigade officers took part in the raid in
areas prone to illegal teak wood logging, including Nganjuk,
Jombang and Madiun.

Marsanto said the operation would be extended to cover other
areas in East Java such as Bojonegoro and Padangan.

"More preventive measures will be taken to deter teakwood
theft," he said.

Nganjuk regent Soetrisno said that while he supported the
efforts to eliminate teakwood theft, he criticized a recent
police move to confiscate a local official's chair which they
suspected of being made from stolen wood. (14)