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“The Investigative Commission Reported That Behind This Organized Crime Lies Potential Corruption in Public Services and Within the State Itself”

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Conclusions regarding the role of law enforcement, the Public Prosecutor's Office, necessary logistical and technological support for better oversight, and the legislative framework, among other recommendations, were established by the congressional body concerning the organized crime of timber theft.
At the request of 64 deputies, the Chamber approved in July 2022 the creation of a Special Investigative Commission tasked with overseeing government actions related to the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security, Carabineros de Chile, the Investigative Police, the Internal Revenue Service, and other regulatory bodies, concerning the prevention, oversight, and protection of public safety and order against crime and the effects of timber theft in the southern macrozone over the past four years.
The Commission's objective also included monitoring the joint actions of state agencies to prevent these crimes, which, according to data from the same parliamentary commission, involve over 25,000 trucks transporting stolen timber annually, causing a loss of $100 million to the forestry industry and, consequently, $30 million in uncollected taxes for the state.
The Commission received and heard from various industry organizations, as well as Carabineros General Director Ricardo Yáñez, National PDI Director Sergio Muñoz, and Biobío Regional Prosecutor Marcela Cartagena, who leads investigations into the illicit activity suspected of financing rural violence by criminal groups. Thirteen lawmakers from Biobío, La Araucanía, Los Lagos, Antofagasta, and the Metropolitan region, representing various political parties, formed this investigative body, chaired by Christian Democrat Erick Aedo, a deputy from the Biobío region, with whom we analyzed the main contributions and conclusions of the Special Commission on Timber Theft.

In your opinion, what were the key contributions of the investigative commission?

I believe a very important contribution of the Timber Theft Commission, which I had the honor of chairing, was bringing a national spotlight to an issue previously only visible in the Biobío and La Araucanía regions.
The Commission demonstrated that the organized crime behind timber theft—what we defined in the commission as narcoterrorism—was not directly linked to the demands of indigenous peoples but rather used as an excuse, a smokescreen for illegal activity that has, unfortunately, claimed the lives of over 50 Chileans in recent years. An illegal business affecting over 5,000 hectares of stolen timber annually, primarily pine and eucalyptus, which, to put it in perspective, is equivalent to stealing 500 Ecuador Parks per year (a park located in Concepción). This was a $100 million illegal enterprise funding weapons purchases for these criminal groups.
Additionally, it revealed that behind this organized crime lies potential corruption within public services and the Chilean state itself.
Another key finding—and the Commission’s major contribution—was exposing what happens when the Chilean state withdraws from a territory. The use of force, violence, and the law of the strongest begins to prevail, harming ordinary citizens. A situation initially resisted but eventually permeating all layers of society, as shown by this crime where ordinary people—not just of Mapuche origin but everyday Chileans—begin participating in this illegal process.

Regarding the Commission’s recommendations, do you believe they can be implemented?

We made several recommendations, all entirely feasible. First, undoubtedly, the need for oversight. This is highly viable, especially since the Internal Revenue Service estimates the state loses nearly $30 million annually in tax evasion from this illegal trade. If a portion of these losses were allocated to proper oversight, this illegal business could be curtailed, and funds recovered for Chile. This requires hiring new personnel for field inspections, as the SII did, identifying 32 illegal sawmills located by the Commission, where we coordinated with the SII, Carabineros, the PDI, and the Prosecutor's Office.
It’s also feasible, alongside oversight, to expand the number of specialized prosecutors tackling organized crime by amending the Constitutional Organic Law of the Prosecutor's Office, as well as equipping the Customs Service with more tools. There’s suspicion that some stolen timber exits through our ports, so modernizing this service under the Ministry of Finance and upgrading its technology is essential.
Another necessary measure is rotating Carabineros and prosecutors assigned to these areas to prevent threats and corruption in public services. Similarly, incorporating technology—like drones and satellite tracking—to monitor organized crime, knowing where and when to inspect, is crucial.
Another success of the Commission I chaired was the approval of the Timber Theft Law. We now await its regulations, which will govern transport permits and electronic invoices to track the origin of traded timber.
Also important and viable are traceability systems being developed by forestry companies, in collaboration with the SII, to verify wood origins—key to preventing stolen timber from entering legal commerce, being exported, or processed into pulp, ensuring large companies do not purchase or use stolen wood.
In another legal context, I believe passing the Land Usurpation Law is absolutely viable and necessary. This is the model violent groups use to seize land and forests for exploitation, protecting these usurped areas with firearms.
Another critical law is the Intelligence Law, currently in the Senate, which we must advance to provide Chile with a higher-quality, more precise intelligence system—capable of detection, monitoring, phone interception, and electronic surveillance—all entirely feasible.

Finally, personally, what did leading this commission mean to you?

Personally, it meant bringing national attention to an issue that has persisted for over 20 years in the Biobío region, Arauco province, and La Araucanía.
It also showed that lawmakers, when committed to issues important for the region and country, can make a difference. This is my first term as a deputy, and just four months into my role in March 2022, I had to push this issue onto the public agenda, securing broad political support for this investigative commission. The report, which is robust, was approved and delivered to the Interior Minister. The eventual enactment of the timber theft law has enabled the arrest of organized gangs behind this crime.
This Investigative Commission was driven by the country’s well-being and common good, not political persecution. I believe all political actors understood this well, leading to strong collaboration and determination to solve this problem. We mobilized the state to stop turning a blind eye to organized crime causing so much harm.
I am satisfied to have opened dialogues with businesses, victims, small and medium entrepreneurs, and communities living in affected areas. I’m also proud to have distinguished between legitimate indigenous claims and these criminal acts fueling an illegal, high-profit trade.

For details on conclusions regarding law enforcement roles, the Public Prosecutor's Office, logistical and technological support for better oversight, and legislative framework, visit the following link:
https://www.acoforag.cl/noticias/2022/12/26/principales-conclusiones-de-la-comision-especial-de-investigacion-del-robo-de-madera-de-la-camara-de-diputados