Myanmar Discovers Over 88 Tons of Illicit Timber and 200,000 Stimulant Tablets
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Myanmar's authorities have made significant seizures of illegal timber and stimulant tablets. Over 88 tons of timber were confiscated across various regions, alongside 200,000 stimulant tablets, highlighting ongoing efforts against illegal logging and drug trafficking.
Key Takeaways
- Over 88 tons of illegal timber seized.
- Authorities charged 17 individuals in connection with illegal logging.
- Seizure of 200,000 stimulant tablets highlights drug trafficking issues.
- Efforts to combat illegal logging include community monitoring.
- Seized drugs valued over 600 million kyats.
Yangon, Feb 6 (NationPress) Authorities in Myanmar have uncovered more than 88 tons of illegal timber nationwide within a single week, according to local media reports on Thursday.
Between January 27 and February 2, officials confiscated over 16.6 tons of teak, more than 9.41 tons of hardwood, and upwards of 62.23 tons of various other timber types, as reported by the state-run daily The Mirror, citing Xinhua news agency.
During this operation, authorities charged 17 individuals related to these offenses and seized three vehicles and machinery, the report stated.
The Forest Department has intensified efforts to combat illegal logging and the trafficking of forest resources through diverse strategies, including establishing a community monitoring and reporting initiative, the report mentioned.
In a different case, authorities also confiscated 200,000 stimulant tablets in southern Myanmar, local media revealed on Thursday.
Responding to a tip-off, anti-narcotics officers searched a motorcycle in Myeik, located in the Tanintharyi region, on January 31, discovering 40,000 stimulant tablets and apprehending a suspect.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of an additional 160,000 stimulant tablets at the suspect's residence in Myeik, according to the report.
Authorities also detained another suspect linked to drug trafficking in Kyunsu township of Tanintharyi region on February 3, it added.
The seized narcotics possess a street value of approximately 600 million kyats (around 280,000 US dollars), the report noted.
This seizure of stimulant tablets occurs amidst ongoing, rigorous crackdowns by authorities on drug-related activities throughout the nation.
Earlier in the month, authorities apprehended over 170,000 stimulant tablets in the central Mandalay region, according to the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC).
Anti-narcotics police conducted a raid on a guesthouse in Chanmyathazi township, seizing 2,000 stimulant tablets and arresting one suspect.
Further inquiries led to the discovery of an additional 171,000 tablets at the suspect's home in Patheingyi township.
The confiscated drugs had a street value exceeding 346 million kyats (approximately 0.164 million US dollars).
