Illegal Loggers Charged

Yesterday we told you about the illegal logging operation that got busted in the Mayflower Bocawina National Park. That's in the Stann Creek District. Two men were arrested and today they were brought before the court in Dangriga to be read charges of illegal entry into a national park and illegal logging of a protected area. Those men are Carlos Palacio and Donald Wewe of Silk Grass Village. In court today both men plead not guilty to the offence and were granted bail of $4,000 dollars plus a surety of the same amount. Carlos Palacio met his bail and was released however Donald Wewe was not able to meet bail and remains in police custody. At this time the Forest Department is still assessing the amount of damage done to the forest, so we cannot give you a figure on the loss. What we can tell you is that among the trees being felled were Mahogany and Sapodilla. As we told you yesterday, on Wednesday Park Rangers of the Mayflower Bocawina Reserve were conducing regular patrols in the area when they heard the distinctive sound of a chain saw. As a result they alerted APAMO, who in turn alerted the authorities. We will be following this case.