Gegharkunik Police Uncover Illegal Logging Incidents

The police pay special attention to environmental issues, continuing a sustained fight against illegal logging. Thanks to the diligent service of Gegharkunik police, five cases of illegal logging were uncovered recently.

On June 5, around 15:30, officers from the Martuni Division of the police checked a Ford Transit vehicle loaded with firewood, driven by a 30-year-old resident of Aygehovit village in Tavush province. The driver did not present any documents proving the legality of the firewood and stated that he had obtained it from the 'Sevkar Forestry' on May 26. The vehicle loaded with timber was transferred to a special storage area of the Martuni police division. A professional examination has been appointed.

On the same day, another instance of illegal logging was revealed by officers from the Chambarak Division of the police. Around 22:00, while performing duty at the Chambarak checkpoint, officers checked a Ford Transit vehicle loaded with firewood driven by a 26-year-old resident of Haghartsin village. The driver also did not present documents proving the legality of the firewood and claimed to have purchased it from 'Dilijan Forestry' in the autumn of 2019. The vehicle was transferred, along with its cargo, to the special storage area of the Chambarak police division.

On June 9, three more cases of illegal logging were uncovered by officers from the Sevan Division. Around 5:30, acting on received information in collaboration with traffic police, they transferred a 63-year-old resident of Ijevan who was driving a KamAZ loaded with 25 cubic meters of timber with expired documents to the Sevan police division, along with a 38-year-old resident of Noyemberyan driving a ZIL loaded with 7 cubic meters of firewood. The drivers stated that they had obtained the wood from 'Noyemberyan Forestry.'

Within minutes, law enforcement officers also inspected a KamAZ vehicle loaded with 24 cubic meters of wood driven by a 64-year-old resident of Getahovit village, Tavush province. The driver did not present any documents confirming the legality of the timber and claimed to have obtained it from a private enterprise. Investigations are ongoing. A professional examination has been appointed, and materials are being prepared regarding these incidents.