Border guards suspended in illegal logging case

ĐẮK LẮK — Four border officials in the Tây Nguyên (Central Highland) province of Đắk Lắk have been suspended pending investigation after the police discovered a large pile of illegal timber being transported to the province’s border area.

This was said by Phạm Quang Hùng, commander of Đắk Lắk Border Guard Command.

The four officers are Cao Hữu Tùng and Bùi Khắc Hiệp of Border Guard Station 747, Phạm Công Khanh and captain Trần Tiến Vinh of Border Guard Station 749.

They are allegedly involved in the case in which the Ministry of Public Security arrested 48-year-old Phan Hữu Phượng, nicknamed Phượng Râu, with his accomplice, 35-year-old Nguyễn Hoàng Trang, for transporting and storing large quantities of illegally logged timber in the border area. Phượng is a resident of Ea Tling town in Cư Jút District, Đắk Nông province.

At 3am on April 27, the Environmental Crime Prevention Police, in collaboration with officials and soldiers of the Ministry of Public Security, raided an illegal logging site in Yok Đôn National Park.

The police seized two trucks and other vehicles as well as machines used to illegally cut timber, which was being transported to timber tycoon Phượng.

The ministry arrested Phượng on April 28 after a search of his house.

Trang from Khánh Hòa Province’s Ninh Hòa District, was arrested by the police on May 1 for allegedly partnering with Phượng.

The case is under further investigation. — Đức