Chronicle of a Truck Inspection Carrying Wood

April 20, 2022 0 Comments Last News Sin tags

Yesterday, April 19, on Route 160, in the direction from Carampangue to Laraquete, starting before 08:00 hours, Carabineros de Chile and other authorities (possibly including the SII) inspected two trucks loaded with pieces of radiata pine. By after 15:00 hrs, I personally verified that the trucks were still detained by law enforcement, as shown in the main photo.

Everything described above could be just another routine inspection among the thousands conducted to verify the origin of the cargo, driver and vehicle documentation, among other things. However, in the context of the current situation in the province of Arauco, if one examines the scene carefully, the following can be observed:

• The trucks, as seen in the blurry accompanying photo (PHOTO 1), are loaded with logs exceeding the height limit of the stakes, indicating that these trucks are traveling OVERWEIGHT.

• Alongside the Carabineros vehicles (patrol cars and armored units), a squad of Special Forces police is visible, fully equipped with riot gear (shields, elbow pads, knee pads, helmets, riot shotguns, and other ad hoc equipment).

• Behind the two trucks under inspection, at least five 4x4 Toyota-type pickups are visible, all appearing to be no less than 2 or 3 years old.

• Finally, a group of no fewer than 20 people, armed with sticks (understood as clubs), is seen talking with law enforcement, who are positioned to prevent the armed individuals from moving the detained loaded trucks. These individuals arrived in the aforementioned pickups.

Those of us who are permanently in the area and linked to the forestry sector can draw some conclusions from this situation:

• Trucks carrying loads above the maximum height of the stakes are "characteristic" of trucks carrying "stolen wood."

• These OVERWEIGHT trucks not only violate maximum axle and convoy weight limits but also contribute to the premature deterioration of the roads they travel on—a stark contrast to legally loaded trucks delivering to regulated destinations, which must comply with strict weight legislation and their clients' guidelines on the matter.

• There is a high probability that the trucks in question lack proper documentation for the transported goods, meaning they are also not subject to regulations such as those of the Internal Revenue Service, which is part of the tax collection process for all formal economic activity.

• Despite the evident illegality of this cargo movement, it is infuriating that the group surrounding the law enforcement inspection was armed with tools for intimidation—and I have no doubt they would have used them against Carabineros if deemed necessary.

• It is outrageous that citizens of this country believe, for some reason, that they are above the laws that govern us all and cannot be inspected—even feeling entitled to block the free movement of others on the road.

I commend the authorities for standing firm until at least 18:00 hours, when I passed by the location again, preventing the convoy with wood of dubious origin from continuing to its final destination.

I hope these inspections intensify in the future to put an end to this true mafia that has developed around the trade of stolen wood. My full support goes to the authorities who have decided to combat this scourge, especially Carabineros de Chile, who must enforce compliance with the law.

This morning, before 08:00 am, the trucks remained at the location under police guard. I understand they could not be removed because their batteries and other parts were taken to hinder their relocation. A Carabineros tow truck is on-site, which I assume will handle moving the two trucks. I am unaware of the legal status of the drivers and others, but I heard two people were arrested in connection with this.

Last night’s attacks in the La Colcha area (El Topo field) seem to me like retaliation for these inspections, and there may be more in the coming days for the same reasons.

Written by a regular driver on Route 160 who shared this chronicle with the Assoc. of Forestry Contractors and prefers to remain anonymous.

Concepción, April 20, 2022.