Illegal logging draws $8,000 fine

A PENAL man was last Friday fined $8,000 by a Siparia magistrate before whom he appeared charged with illegal logging of teak trees at a Government reserve in the forests. Deolal Ragoonanan, 42, of Bunsie Trace, Penal Rock Road, appeared before Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle charged with illegal logging of 21 teak trees and selling the illegal trees. He pleaded guilty to both charges and was fined $4,000 for each charge.

The court heard that a team of officers led by Deputy Conservator of Forests — Seuram Jhilmit — and forestry officers Mervyn Atkinson and Noel Trabouley, went into the Morne Diablo Government Teak Forest around 6.30 pm last Wednesday. They were also accompanied by Cpl Flanders and PC Bahadur both of Penal CID. One mile into the forest they noticed 21 teak trees cut and removed. The team of police and forestry officers subsequently executed a search warrant at Ragoonanan’s home, after receiving certain information. They discovered the 21 cut teak trees at the back of Ragoonanan’s house. He was taken to the Penal Police Station and questioned by Cpl Flanders and Forestry Officer II Atkinson. Atkinson laid the charges.