Head of Cư M’gar District forest protection division prosecuted

VietNamNet Bridge – The People’s Procuracy of Dak Nong Province has begun criminal proceedings against Bui Van Khang for abusing position and power while performing duties in the case relating to Phan Huu Phuong (also known as Moustache Phuong). 

Cư M’gar District Forest Protection Division where Bùi Văn Khang acts as the head. — Photo vov.vn

Khang, 54, who resides in Tan An Ward in Dak Lak Province’s Buon Ma Thuot City, was prosecuted and put into temporary detention on Tuesday in line with Article 365 of the 2015 Penal Code, said Nguyen Van Cuong, director of Dak Nong Province’s People’s Procuracy.

While expanding the probe of the large-scale illegal logging operation headed by Phuong in Cư Jút District, Dak Nong Province, investigators determined that Khang, head of the Cư M’gar District’s forest protection division and head of Buon Don District in 2008-17 period, had certified timber transportation between Thao Truc Company and Phuong from April to September last year, though the transactions were not in line with current regulations.

During this time, Khang received over 10cu.m of timber from Thao Truc Company in return for turning a blind eye to the company’s illegal wood transportation. He sold the timber and also received hundreds of millions of dong from the company — money he later shared with related officials.

As reported by Vietnam News Agency, on April 27, police and border guard officers in Dak Nong found 40.2cu.m. of timber being carried away in two trucks at about 3:40am from the Yok Don National Park on the border of Dak Nong and Dak Lak provinces.

The two truck drivers – Tran Luu Lan and Ho Trong Dung – failed to present legitimate documents specifying the origin of the timber. They told the police that the timber was being taken to a workshop of Long Vu Company in Cư Jút District specialising in the production of wooden products. The company is owned by Phan Huu Phuong, a resident of EaT’ling Town.

Investigators searched five locations where the illicit ring stored their timber and confiscated nearly 210cu.m of wood as well as multiple trucks, cars, tractors and chainsaws.

Earlier in May, Dak Nong Police initiated legal proceedings against seven members involved in the large-scale illegal logging operation headed by Phuong.

The suspects were charged with violating regulations on the exploitation, protection and management of forest products under Article 232 of the Penal Code.

Source: VNS