Top cop cleared of lifting logs

JAYAPURA: Manokwari Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Dedi Kusnadi was cleared of charges that he stole timber confiscated during a recent police operation to combat illegal logging in Papua.

Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Dodi Sumantyawan said over the weekend that after questioning by police investigators, Dedi was found not to have been involved in the disappearance of 5,000 cubic meters of timber seized during the operation.

Dodi said the logs were transported to Manokwari for safekeeping because police feared illegal logging suspects would try to destroy the evidence.

Four other mid-ranking police officers in Papua are still under investigation for taking bribes from the financial backers of illegal logging operations. -- Antara