7 News Belize

Mahogany Mover Made To Pay
posted (September 29, 2017)
Earlier this week, we told you about the trunkful of illegally harvested Mahogany logs that police caught on the Old Northern Highway.

Well, the Forestry Department has successfully prosecuted the man responsible for those logs. He is 47 year-old Pablo Valladarez, from Guinea Grass in the Orange Walk District. He now has to pay a fine of $22,838.

A joint team of police and forestry officers intercepted him and 3 others on last week Sunday, September 24th.

The Forestry Department confiscated 34 unstamped Mahogany logs, equivalent to 1,268 board feet. Originally 4 men were charged with the offense of unlawful possession of forest produce, and they were arraigned before Magistrate Albert Hoare in Orange Walk on Wednesday. Valladarez pleaded guilty to the charge - and the charges against the others were dropped.

He is being given until January 31 of next year to pay the fine, and he defaults, he will spend 5 years in jail.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize