Valuable timber and body parts of endangered animals from the forests of Shan State were seized in Muse Town, Northern Shan State on 10 January before they could be sold in China, according to residents.
When representatives of several different state agencies carried out a surprise check at the house of U Phon Kyan Moe, a Chinese national, located on sub-street 5 in Muse town at 9am on 10 January they seized products that are banned under forestry law.
Sai Kyaw, a Muse resident said: “The authorities searched the house between 9am and 12 noon. They found gallbladders from endangered animals, over 40 wild boar fangs, eight white teak (Tamalan or Gmelina Arborea) logs, eight wood piles, four sheets of rosewood (Pterocarpus macrocarpus) of about four feet in diameter, pangolin skins, elephant tusks and a rhinoceros’s horn which were all seized. The authorities arrested U Phon Kyan Moe, but we do not yet know what he will be charged with.”
Though prohibited forestry products, cattle and trafficked people are frequently seized by the authorities as they are being smuggled to China the Burmese Government is yet to take any effective action against the smugglers.
Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI
