Head of the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkumhut), Hari Novianto, in a statement in Jakarta on Friday, stated that the suspect's arrest followed a security patrol conducted by forestry police from the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) on August 20.
"UJ, the leader of the group from Lampung, and his members had been in the Kerumutan Forest for three months, carrying out illegal logging, beginning with building rails to transport timber," Novianto said.
He explained that forestry police found tree stumps, processed wood, and five kilometers of rails made from wood.
While conducting a search of the area, the team encountered a suspicious individual in the forest area. When approached, the individual fled, but officers apprehended him.
When questioned, the perpetrator, identified as UJ, had just finished processing wood in the forest area.
The Forestry Police team then took the perpetrator and evidence, including a hut tarpaulin, pieces of processed wood, and a cell phone, to investigators from the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Balai Gakumhut) for further processing.
Suspect UJ faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to Rp7.5 billion (around $455,210 US dollars).
"UJ admitted that this was the first time he had successfully sold 40 cubic meters of wood to a collector," said Novianto.
In addition to UJ, investigators have identified other illegal loggers and will continue to pursue them to hold them accountable, he added.
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Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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