Police destroy 14 tonnes of illegally harvested sandalwood

About 14 tonnes of sandalwood were on Wednesday destroyed by the Police. The sandwood, locally known as Kabaruka, was seized from various illegal dealers from different entry points into Kigali, as they attempted to smuggle them out of the country. “This (the burning of the stumps) aims at deterring people who may in the future become interested in the trade,” said Superintendent Modeste Mbabazi, the Police Spokesperson, City of Kigali. Mbabazi was speaking during a destruction exercise in Nduba Sector, Gasabo District.The wood is rumoured to be raw material for some type of perfume. It is used to extract sandalwood oil, which produces a distinctive scent that is highly valued in the Middle East and Asia. Mbabazi said 56 more tonnes stored at the national police headquarters, Kacyiru, are awaiting destruction. “The suspects are currently facing prosecution,” he said. Article 416 of the penal code states that felling trees or causing others to do so from gazetted forests, protected areas and national parks makes one liable to an imprisonment term ranging from six months to two years or a fine ranging between Rwf300,000 to Rwf2 million, or both. Among other areas where the trees are illegally harvested is the Akagera National Park in the Eastern Province. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Police destroy 14 tonnes of illegally harvested sandalwood