The Solomon Islands authorities have detained a log ship who was caught trying to ship out logs that have been illegally logged in the Western Province.
The vessel was brought in by an Asian logging company operating at Petaini in Roviana.
It is currenlty being detained at the Noro international port by the Ministry of Fforestry, customs and police officials.
Despite the company being issued an order to stop its operation several times, the company had continued logging illegally. A source said the ship was already loaded with logs when it was seized.
“They were also warned against shipping out any of the logs they cut but without our knowledge, they brought in a ship and started filling it up with logs. They were still doing that when officials from the ministry, customs and police boarded the ship and ordered it to go to Noro where it was detained,” the source said.
According to the source, the ship is currently still at the Noro port waiting on court processes.
Source: Press Release, Pacific News Agency Services