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Police Operation Halts Timber Theft in Paillaco

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• Three individuals were caught in the act while illegally extracting timber from a property, putting an end to a series of thefts affecting the area.

The Investigative Police (PDI) has put a stop to a series of timber thefts in the commune of Paillaco, with the arrest of three individuals involved in the illegal extraction of this natural resource.

The suspects, caught on the San Alberto property, were apprehended thanks to the efforts of the specialized Timber Theft (SUMA) team of the Valdivia Criminal Investigation Brigade.

Commissioner Gerardo Lillo of the Valdivia Criminal Investigation Brigade revealed that the detainees, aged 36, 25, and 20, routinely entered the property to cut and steal eucalyptus timber. They later sold it in the city of Valdivia through social media.

The police operation, carried out with the collaboration of the Public Prosecutor's Office and the affected landowners, led to the seizure of three meters of timber, a chainsaw, and a pickup truck, with a total value exceeding 3.5 million pesos.

These incidents are not isolated but part of an ongoing issue in the region's forested properties, according to the ongoing investigation. The individuals, all Chilean nationals, had prior records for various crimes and were placed at the disposal of the Paillaco Guarantee Court.

This operation represents a significant step forward in the fight against natural resource theft, a crime that not only affects property owners but also the environment and the local economy. The swift action by authorities reflects their commitment to protecting private property and the country's natural resources.