Official From Bali Forestry Agency Arrested For Illegal Logging

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An official from the Sambangan Village Forest Management Agency (LPHD), Wayan Dapetyasa, has been arrested for illegal logging in Bali.

The Head of the Sukasada Police Department, Kompol Made Agus Dwi Wirawan, confirmed that Dapetyasa was detained with three other suspects.

This includes Rohmad David Salam, the buyer, Komang Sujana, who was in charge of marketing, and Febrianto, the logger who illegally cut down trees in the protected area of Munduk Tiing Tali Forest, Sambangan Village Sukasada, Buleleng.

“Dapetyasa informed us about the other three suspects involved in this illegal activity during the interrogation. We’re still waiting for experts to determine the height and age of the tree they cut down on Friday afternoon (22/1),” Kompol Wirawan said on Thursday (27/1).

The police were informed by nearby villagers concerning the potential illegal logging on Friday afternoon, so the officers immediately came to investigate and spotted the suspects. They also seized three big logs about to be transported in a vehicle with registration DK 8709 UW.

Dapetyasa admitted to the police that he planned to sell those logs for USD $175 (IDR 2.5 million) and use the money to fix the road in his village. “I admit that I was wrong, but I honestly intended to use that money to fix the road in my area. However, I apologize for what I have done, and I won’t do it again,” said the man who also serves as an official of his Banjar.

The investigation is still underway as the police are trying to find a connection between this incident and the other illegal logging activities reported by officials of Sambangan village.