Forest department investigates sizeable seizures of smuggled timber
The forest department has launched an internal investigation in response to sizeable seizures of smuggled timber since late January. On Jan. 24, authorities seized more than 30 tons of smuggled teak from two containers at the Myanmar Industrial Port in Yangon. Further investigations led to the seizure of some 170 tons of smuggled padauk found in 11 containers two days later at the same port. In a chain of subsequent investigations, authorities seized more than 1,500 tons of timber from Hlaingtharyar, Shwepyithar, Dagon Seikkan and South Dagon townships.
