Illegal logging comes under spotlight, again

Illegal logging comes under spotlight, again

An Investigative team from Riau's Natural Resources Conservation
Body (BKSDA) have detained 15 truck drivers since Tuesday who
were nabbed carrying illegal logs.

According to the team, led by J. Siregar, the drivers have
already been declared as suspects. The team has also identified
four groups involved in illegal logging practices in the
province.

Unfortunately, only the truck drivers were arrested while the
masterminds behind the illegal logging operations are still free.

Head of BKSDA in Riau, John Kenedie, acknowledged on Wednesday
that based on the questioning of 15 suspects and 45 witnesses,
four groups have already been identified but he was reluctant to
disclose more information on the groups.

"The investigation into illegal logging is handled by BKSDA,
which receives support from the Ministry of Forestry. With that
support, we'll find and arrest the masterminds," John said.

Illegal logging has moved back into the spotlight with the
recent release of a joint report by the London-based
Environmental Investigation Agency and the Indonesian group
Telapak, which have accusing the Indonesian Military and other
officials of smuggling 300,000 cubic meters of timber a month out
of the country. -- JP/Puji Santoso