There's still an embargo on the Rosewood trade in Belize, that means no Rosewood can be harvested, extracted from the forest, or exported - but like junkies, the Rosewood smugglers just can't get enough. The Forestry Department recently picked up three different sets of Rosewood flitches in the Toledo District proving that trade is still happening.
Two weeks ago, the Forestry Department found a large amount of Rosewood in a covered truck in the Trio area in the Toledo District. They confiscated it and have since cancelled the license of the short term forest license holder Gilmer Alamilla.
And then on Sunday night, KREM Radio News reports that the Forestry and Police Departments found two thousand board feet of Rosewood - broken down into flitches - on the Boom Creek Road. When the team got there, they saw a Guatemalan truck speeding away.
Forestry impounded it at the Machaca Hill Forest Station. But, overnight, someone stole it from there - and it still unaccounted for.
And then last night Forestry made another bust outside Punta Gorda at mile 7 on the San Antonio Road where they found 70 flitches. Interestingly, these ones were found on a tractor belonging to the ministry of agriculture. In that case, reports are that some persons have been detained and charges are expected.
And, in a very unusual move, Forestry Department Officials have hauled an entire container from the Port of Belize where it was ready for export, and taken it back to Belmopan for Inspection. The container was already sealed and fumigated, but Forestry broke the seal because it appeared suspicious. It is declared as "sawn Granadillo timber" - but there are whole logs inside - which is already suspicious. They are awaiting heavy equipment to examine the contents more thoroughly.
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