Forestry Department says lumber seized in Trelawny was being harvested illegally

The Forestry Department is defending itself against what it describes as the "misleading and false narrative", surrounding an incident in which its workers were impeded by residents as they sought to seize alleged illegally harvested lumber near Quickstep in Trelawny.

In a media release on Sunday, the department said it disrupted the illegal logging operation in the Cockpit Country Protected Area on Friday.

In a post on Instagram earlier, Accompong Maroon Chief Richard Currie, had questioned why the department was moving the lumber, saying the "continued exploitation of lumber from the community by the said entity set to protect it under the Government, the Forestry Department, caused major discomfort among the residents."

However, the Forestry Department said on Friday forest rangers identified an extensive illegal timber harvesting operation in the area and dispatched a team to seize the timber.

The department said it was reported that approximately 7 a.m. a truck loaded with lumber was seen leaving the area before the team's arrival.

It said more than 500 pieces of lumber were located at multiple points along trails within the reserve.

The team began retrieving the lumber, loading 150 pieces into the agency's truck. However, their exit was blocked as trees and boulders were used to obstruct the road. The team contacted the Head Office, and a secondary team was dispatched along with the police.

The Forestry Department said around 10 p.m., the secondary team, along with eight police officers in three service vehicles, attempted to clear the blockage but was met with resistance as stones were thrown at them from the surrounding hills. Both teams were forced to spend the night on site, awaiting further assistance.

A Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) team arrived approximately 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, providing the necessary support to retrieve the agency personnel but the vehicles were left behind, pending additional state resources.

The department said, with the combined efforts of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, JDF, and Jamaica Fire Brigade, all state officers and equipment were eventually retrieved.

A convoy attempted to depart the area around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, again impeded in Quickstep square by a group of some community residents.

They reportedly attempted to illegally claim the seized lumber and obstruct the police. However, the superintendent on site successfully ensured the safe departure of the Forestry Department personnel and the evidence, which the department says has been secured in Kingston for further investigation.

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.