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Illegal Logging Ring Dismantled in Lota: Seven Arrested

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• Police operation in Lota concludes with the arrest of seven individuals, one with an extensive criminal record, for timber theft on property owned by Forestal Arauco.

In a successful operation carried out by the specialized OS-9 unit of Carabineros de Concepción, seven individuals were apprehended for their involvement in illegal logging activities at the Araneda property, owned by Forestal Arauco, in the commune of Lota. The police intervention, which took place during a preventive patrol, led to the seizure of four pickup trucks, three chainsaws, and 16 cubic meters of eucalyptus wood.

Captain Elizabeth Ibacache, head of the OS-9 section in the Biobío Region, reported that five of the detainees have prior police records. Among them stands out P.A.S.A., 32, with a criminal history of 24 charges for various offenses, including violent robbery and intimidation, receiving stolen goods, and assault with a deadly weapon. This individual also had an active arrest warrant for threats and minor assault issued by the Coronel Guarantee Court.

The other accused with prior records are A.A.R.A., 21, known for violent robbery; S.M.S.S., 20, for burglary of an unoccupied property; S.L.U.V., 42, with two charges for theft; and A.R.P.R., also 42, with previous arrests for sanitary violations. The remaining two, both 18 years old, have no prior police records.

The operation, conducted on Thursday afternoon, concluded with the seven accused being placed at the disposal of the Lota Guarantee Court for detention review and subsequent formal charging.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities against the illegal exploitation of natural resources and the importance of surveillance in ecologically sensitive areas. The swift action by Carabineros de Concepción has not only led to the arrest of those involved but also the protection of the region's forest heritage.