69 suspects named for logging crimes

JAYAPURA, Papua: An anti-illegal logging task force has identified 69 alleged illegal loggers since it began a severe crackdown this month.

Nine of the 69 suspects were reportedly Malaysian citizens, task force spokesman Sr. Comr. Saud Usman Nasution said on Wednesday.

In addition to naming the suspects, the police task force also was happy to announce that they had confiscated over 60,000 logs of various types, over 17,000 cubic meters of processed wood, four boats, 32 cars and trucks, 40 chainsaws and eight tugboats, said Usman.

The task force personnel are now hunting down the suspects in and out of Papua, said Usman.

The police began the operation after an embarrassing report by a foreign environmentalist group, which uncovered a massive illegal logging ring in the country, backed by military and government officials. -- JP