Mozambique: 63 containers of wood seized in Cabo Delgado – O País

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Mozambique: 63 containers of wood seized in Cabo Delgado – O País

12:12 CAT | 12 Aug 2022

Image: O País

About a thousand cubic metres of wood whose exploitation, let alone export, is prohibited have been seized by Mozambique’s Environmental Quality Control Agency (AQUA).

The seizure took place on 27 July, as 20 of the containers seized were about to be shipped from the Port of Pemba to China.

During the export process, the authorities liaised with forest resources and Customs became aware of irregularities, including the existence of ironwood (ebony) in the consignment and wood still in logs.

In the course of the investigation, another 43 containers were discovered in the Sain Funger Timber yard in Montepuez district, which operates under a license from the company, Miti.

Customs and the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Cabo Delgado did not immediately comment on the matter, but have confirmed that they are in the meantime investigating the circumstances that led to the attempt to export prohibited wood.

‘O País’ has learned that the company involved is the same one which, at the end of last year, forfeited to the state 13,000 cubic metres of illegally harvested wood of different types found in its yards in Muxúnguè and Sena, Sofala province.

The wood was seized in response to various irregularities, including the purchase of wood from illegal loggers, being in possession of wood below the recommended diameter and not having a licence for the activity in question. The wood was sold at public auction, and the owner fined around 29 million meticais.

This is not the first time that significant amounts of timber have been illegally exported to the People’s Republic of China from the Port of Pemba. Not long ago, 76 containers were recovered from China by the Mozambican state and sold at public auction.

At least nine people were detained in connection with that case, including a Chinese citizen and Customs officials assigned to the Port of Pemba.

Source: O País