BEIJING: More than 80 Chinese were arrested for smuggling timber in Waimaw in Kachin State and faced legal action in accordance with Myanmar existing laws.
The alleged smugglers were rounded up in Washaung, Manwain, Sinikhu, Mandaung, Lawkhunyan and Sadon in Waimaw Township in Kachin State. About 19 Myanmar citizens were also arrested.
According to the military’s statement, the detained Chinese showed us a letter signed by a senior KIA official allowing them to extract timber. The military also seized an excavator, four Pajero vehicles, four Jeeps, two cranes, two trailers, two trailer trucks, and nine bicycles, and 680 stimulant tablets, 20 tickles of raw opium, six packets of black opium and Chinese currency worth 12,000 yuan.
Since the clashes erupted between the rebel forces and the tamadaw in 2011, illegal logging and smuggling timber to China have increased dramatically.
