Four Men Charged for Illegal Logging near Doubloon Lagoon

Four men have been charged with illegal logging after being caught unloading forest posts near Doubloon Lagoon in the Orange Walk District.

According to the Forest Department, the incident occurred on November 5 when the Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative (CSFI) enforcement team intercepted a group unloading logwood posts from a red tractor into a white GMC truck. The men failed to show a valid permit or licence that allowed for the extraction or transport of the wood. 

Authorities seized the vehicles, a chainsaw, a tractor battery, and roughly 100 logwood posts as evidence. The individuals, who are identified as Martin Rosado, Diego Santos, Chad Vargas, and Aldair Correa, have been charged under Section 19 of the Forest Act for unlawful possession of forest produce.

This comes just after another case was reported just days earlier on November 2nd, where Wildlife Conservation Society rangers detained four individuals from Cotton Tree Village. 

In a statement, the Forest Department reminded the public of the legal consequences of unauthorised logging. “The public is reminded that harvesting, transporting, or possessing forest produce without the necessary permits is a criminal offence,” adding that members of the public should report any illegal activities to protect Belize’s forests.