Maputo — The attempted illegal export of unprocessed timber and of ivory from the northern Mozambique port of Pemba, in January, has led to the suspension from duty of six inspectors working for the Cabo Delgado Provincial Forestry and Wildlife Services, reports Saturday’s issue of the Maputo daily „Noticias“.
The six inspectors witnessed the loading of the logs into 161 20 foot containers, and although they knew that the planned export was illegal, they did nothing to stop it. To make matters worse, when the containers were reopened, it was found that the amount of wood they contained was much greater than that which had been officially declared.The timber belonged to five companies owned by Chinese citizens – namely Mofid (89 containers), Tienhe (30), Pacif (20), Sinlan (15) and Alphaben (7). The containers were loaded onto the „Kota Mawar“, a ship operated by SDV-AMI, a company registered in the Caribbean island of Antigua. The cargo was destined for China.
The illegal shipment came to the notice of somebody in the defence and security forces who ensured that it was aborted. When the containers were unloaded and checked, in addition to Class I hardwoods (which may not be exported unprocessed), the authorities found 126 elephant tusks. Elephants are a protected species, and the export of ivory is prohibited.
The ivory was in containers belonging to Mofid, which is a repeat offender, caught on two previous occasions (in 2004 and 2007) trying to export logs illegally.
The logs have now all been removed from the containers, and are exposed to the elements. Stacked up at the port, the logs are at serious risk of deterioration.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201103260068.html