Illegal Logging In North Buton Waters, Southeast Sulawesi, Police Secure 66.29 Cubic Meters Of Wood

The wood confiscated from illegal logging disclosures in North Buton Waters. (Between/La Ode Muh Deden Saputra)

SULTRA - Police thwarted illegal logging or illegal logging in the waters of North Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province (Sultra). The illegal wood was secured when it was transported by ship.

Director of the Dit Polairud Polda Sultra Kombes Pol Adnan Syafruddin said the disclosure of the illegal logging action began with routine patrols on Sunday, June 25.

"The patrol results brought officers to the discovery of a wooden ship called KLM Pekalongan 1 GT 42 which turned out to contain illegal mixed wood," said Adnan in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Monday, July 10, which was confiscated by Antara.

From the arrest, Polairud Polda Sultra secured the captain of the ship with the initials LB along with 6 crew members who were the main suspects in the case.

"The ship was confiscated as the main evidence. In addition, officers also found a number of pieces of 66.29 cubic meters of mixed wood which were part of the ship's cargo," he said.

He explained that after his party checked the ship's documents, the document used by the ship was a Kayu Transport Letter number 37/SAKR/ADS/VI/2023 dated June 25, 2023, which was invalid in accordance with the results of coordination with the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Forestry Service and the Waculea Village Government.

"There is no evidence of arrears or slashing of a wooden tree as stated in the document," he said.

Adnan said that in this case, the suspect violated Article 88 paragraph 1 letter A in conjunction with Article 16 of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 18 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction. The captain of the ship will be subject to a minimum threat of one year and a maximum of five years in prison, as well as a minimum fine of IDR 500 million and a maximum of IDR 2.5 billion.

The case shows the importance of preventing and eradicating forest destruction by the authorities. The Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police is committed to continuing to carry out forest destruction prevention and eradication operations throughout Indonesia. With cooperation between the authorities and the community, it is hoped that forest sustainability can be maintained for future generations," he said.