22 Septembar 2020
Cambodia News, Kampong Chhnang: The Director of Forestry Administration of Kampong Chhnang Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said by phone this evening at 6 pm, that in a crackdown today the Kampong Chhnang Forestry Department, in cooperation with the Economic Crimes Division of Kampong Chhnang Provincial Police, seized three trailors transporting forest products without a permit from the Forestry Administration.

The vehicles will be impounded by the authorities, and the wood will be confiscated and stored in a safe place by Kampong Chhnang Forestry Department.

That's funny. There are literally dozens every day in that area. I know of several entry and exit points in Chhnang/Pursat/Speu where these guys go in and out day and night with impunity.

It will never stop until there are no sizable trees left! Last time I read news re SHV they were going to clear 1000 hectares for some supposed resort. Probably clear the trees in a big rushed frenzy and do nothing with the land.

And so it goes on all over Cambodia:

Cambodia News, Preah Vihear: Sources said that on the night of October 7, 2020, a group of journalists went to take pictures of the activities of a timber trader named Che Mom. Many trucks have been reportedly been passing through the Forestry Administration of Choam Ksan District, especially in the Kantuot Forestry Administration Sangkat, where Mr. Chey Reth is Chief of the Sangkat. The forest is on the way to Trapeang Prasat and Anlong Veng districts.
Local officials deny any knowledge of this traffic.

A man from Stung Treng province has been named and shamed in a Khmer news article, where he is accused of taking advantage of the chaos caused by flooding to increase his traffic in illegal timber.


Cambodia News, Stung Treng Province: On October 14, 2020, during the flooding, a timber trader named Nak, who lives in Kanhchanh Kork village, Sambo commune, Siem Pang district, was often seen driving a white Ford car with license plate number 2AU-6791 along Dump Kralor Road which is located in Rithy Sen Chey 1 Village, Stung Treng Province.

Sources have revealed that almost every day, they often see luxury cars transporting luxury wood to Stung Treng provincial town to large depots in the province, while the authorities and officials are busy rescuing people affected by the floods, helping to evacuate them to safety, helping with flooding crops and livestock, allowing this trader take the opportunity to transport timber smoothly without fear of authorities and officials.
This man Nak is a known rosewood smuggler, but he reportedly has connections and is not bothered by the authorities.

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Kingdom of Wonder - and magic

Black becomes white at just the whisper of a forestry official's first word.

No wonder these guys hit the Johnnie Walker so hard. (and believe me, they ALL do)
They must have trouble sleeping at night - living such an obvious lie every day of their lives.

I know some people who used to be illegal loggers in northern Cambodia, but on a small scale as chainsaws for hire. They really didn't see that they were doing anything wrong. They needed the work.
Now, one of them at least has hung up his chainsaw and become a builder, whie his son became a forest trekking guide for a while and now runs a car-wash. I think they are both happier with their lives, but my point is that when there are not other opportunities to make a living, people take what they can get. They can't afford to think of the big picture when they need to eat.
At the moment with so many people out of work, it is not surprising that some people, (but not my friends), have gone back to poaching wildlife and chopping down trees - unfortunately.

Cambodia News, (Kratie Province): On the night of 20 October 2020, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces raided five vehicles loaded with assorted wood and detained 10 suspects, including a woman, who are being detained at the Snuol District Military Base.


The Kratie Provincial Armed Forces, in cooperation with Snuol District Armed Forces, led by Mr. Lun Bunthol, Commander of Snuol District Gendarmerie, cracked down on five unlicensed minivans transporting timber without permission from the Forestry Administration, and arrested 10 people in Sre Renam village, Khsum commune, Snuol district in Kratie province.
This was reported by Mr. Lon Bunthol, Commander of the District Gendarmerie.

UPDATE on the post above, concerning suspects arrested in Kratie province for transporting illegal timber:
[In a nutshell, "no comment".]

22 October 2020 | 22:37 ICT
Forestry Administration officials in Kratie province’s Snuol district will send five of 10 suspects to the provincial court on Friday after Military Police stopped five vans transporting illegal timber on Tuesday.

Snuol Forestry Administration chief Oeung Sinang told The Post that Military Police released the other five suspects after determining they were not involved in the case.

Kratie provincial Military Police commander San Buntha declined to comment on Thursday.

“I cannot talk about this with reporters,” he said.

But Fresh News quoted Snuol district Military Police commander Lon Bunthol as saying on Thursday that the operation was ordered by Buntha.

Provincial Forestry Administration director Nuon Pov Ratana declined to comment on Thursday.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... imber-haul