Taiwan Authorities Bust Illegal Logging Ring as Island’s Forest Wars Rage On

50 tons of timber worth over $3.3 million were seized in an operation targeting a gang trafficking wood from protected trees, the latest assault on Taiwan’s hated “mountain rats.”

The Diplomat
Date: December 26, 2019
By Nick Aspinwall

Taiwan authorities said Tuesday they had made 22 arrests and seized timber worth over NT$100 million (US$3.32 million) in a December 19 raid targeting a vast illegal logging ring.

Authorities on the island have long fought forest poachers, known colloquially as “mountain rats,” who traverse the mountains searching for the coveted wood of endangered trees. The wood is then sold to artists and shopkeepers who craft it into wooden sculptures sold to Taiwanese buyers and a sizable contingent of foreign tourists, especially Chinese nationals.

The illegal logging bust announced Tuesday is one of the largest ever in Taiwan, according to Chiayi County chief prosecutor Miao Cho-jan.

A special team composed of officials from Chiayi County, Nantou County, and Kaohsiung’s Qiaotou District, along with Taiwan’s Forestry Bureau, organized the raids after the Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office was tipped to the gang’s operations six months ago, according to prosecutors from the three areas.    [FULL  STORY]