Illegal trades: AITSTF seized illegal timbers, food items, vehicles

As action is being taken effectively against illegal trades across the country under the supervision of the Anti-Illegal Trade Steering Committee, a total of seven arrests (estimated at 49.552 million Kyats) were made on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th March in Rakhine State, Yangon Region, Sagaing Region, and Bago Region.

On 2nd March, combined inspection teams led by the Rakhine State Department of Forest, under the management of the Regional Anti-Illegal Trade Special Task Force, conducted inspections and seized 10.85 tons of illegal timbers (estimated value of over 750,000) in Taungup Township.

Similarly, on 2nd and 3rd March, two vehicles (estimated value of 30 million Kyats) carrying 2.48 tons of teak furniture (estimated value of over 740,000) were arrested under the Forest Law in the northern district of Yangon Region. On 3rd March, 21.576 tons of illegal teak (estimated at 3.549 million Kyats) and woodworking equipment (estimated value of 500,000) were also arrested in Bamauk Township, Sagaing Region.

On the same day, Bago Township Customs Team conducted unexpected inspections between Waw Township and Shwe Thanlwin tollgate and arrested a vehicle (estimated value of 10 million Kyats) carrying 85 cardboard boxes filled with illegal edible oil and 85 cardboard boxes filled with illegal juice (estimated at 2.975 million Kyats) under the Customs Law.

On 4th March, 5.93 tons of illegal timber (estimated value of 1.023 million Kyats) were seized in the Bago district and Thayawady district forest reserves under the Forest Law.