Bernama 16 Dec 11;
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Seven Indonesian illegal immigrants have been detained by the authorities in connection with the seizure of thousands of mangrove logs retrieved from illegally-felled trees in Kota Tinggi.
The suspects were working as lumberjacks in the vicinity of Sungai Pacat in Tanjung Belungkor when they were nabbed in an integrated operation about 5pm yesterday.
Two chain-saws, three-blade hand-saw and an axe, among others, were seized from the foreigners in the operation which involved various government enforcement agencies, including the state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Marine Operations Force investigating officer Inspector Mohamad Azam Mohamad Shahal said today, initial investigations revealed the suspects, aged between 23 and 40, had worked for the past 20 days without a permit.
"We found thousands of mangrove logs which were ready for collection by a group which was expected to arrive at Sungai Pacat," he said, adding that the case was referred to the state forestry department.
-- BERNAMA
