On November 8, Phu Quoc City Forest Protection Department coordinated with the Mobile Forest Management and Protection Team of Phu Quoc National Park (Kien Giang) to inspect the forest in sub-zone 69 of the special-use forest ecological restoration zone in Suoi Cat hamlet, Cua Duong commune.
At around 11:30 a.m. the same day, the authorities discovered Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phuoc (born in 1965, resident of Bai Thom commune); Mr. Ngo Van Tuan (born in 1981, resident of Duong To commune); Ms. Dinh Thi Dung (born in 1958, resident of An Thoi ward); Mr. Dang Van Ut (born in 1985, resident of An Thoi ward); Mr. Ngo Van Nhan (born in 1991, resident of Hoa Dien commune, Kien Luong district) illegally exploiting the forest.
The inspection team measured and determined the volume and weight of the exploited forest products. Through measurement, the illegally exploited forest products had a total weight of 322 kg of non-timber forest plants, initially determined to include licorice species.
At the time of inspection, the above-mentioned people admitted to exploiting forest products in special-use forests without permission from competent authorities.
The Forest Protection Department seized and temporarily detained the following evidence: 5 knives, 1 hammer, 4 motorbikes and some other tools used for forest exploitation.
The case is currently being verified and handled by the Phu Quoc City Forest Protection Department according to the provisions of law.
Since the beginning of 2024, Phu Quoc City Forest Protection Department has discovered 7 cases of illegal exploitation of non-timber forest plants (medicinal materials) with 13 participants and have been administratively sanctioned.
Phu Quoc City Forest Protection Department also recommends that people inside and outside Phu Quoc Island do not illegally exploit non-timber forest plants (medicinal herbs) because this is a violation of the law.
