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Illegal logging of native forest and timber theft lead to two operations in communes of Ñuble

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Inspectors from the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) together with Carabineros detected an illegal intervention of native forest in the rural area of Huemul–Agua Santa, in the commune of El Carmen, during last Tuesday.

The operation confirmed the logging of native timber over a significant area, affecting species such as roble and raulí, in addition to the habitat of the naranjillo, a species classified under conservation.

According to information gathered during the operation, this appears to be an organized theft, where coordinated groups operate on specific days and times, cutting down trees to obtain wood chips that are later sold without the required free transit permits mandated by forestry regulations.

In response to the incident, Conaf Ñuble reiterated the call for reporting such actions and also provided figures related to the inspections they have conducted in recent years, specifically concerning illegal interventions in native forests.

Over the past five years, more than 1,400 inspections have been carried out, covering approximately 16,000 hectares.

According to Conaf, during the same period, more than 230 complaints have been filed with the Local Police Courts, resulting from fieldwork and the use of satellite monitoring technology.

According to the regional director of Conaf Ñuble, Juan Salvador Ramírez, the annual average "is around 298 inspections, covering an area of 3,200 hectares per year."

"All complaints received by the corporation are inspected 100%. The work of inspection and protection of forest resources is carried out in coordination with various public agencies, in addition to the regional committee for the prevention of organized crime," stated the director.

Thanks to these actions, complaints filed with the Local Police Courts have decreased by 45% during 2025.

Theft in San Fabián

In another operation carried out during the afternoon of this Tuesday, specialized personnel from the OS9 of Carabineros Ñuble arrested eight people for their alleged involvement in the crime of timber theft that occurred on a forest property in the mountainous commune of San Fabián de Alico.

The procedure was initiated following an alert issued by the affected forestry company's team, who reported the presence of individuals at the site equipped with machinery and trucks to extract wood from within the property.

Carabineros from OS9 arrived at the scene and arrested the subjects caught in the act while committing the crime. During the operation, Carabineros seized three trucks, three chainsaws, two Skider machines, and approximately 150 cubic meters of stolen wood.

The prefect of Ñuble, Lieutenant Colonel José Luis Villegas, highlighted the coordinated work of the OS9 team and the timely report from the company, detailing that "this type of procedure reflects the commitment to prosecuting crimes that directly affect the productive sector of the region, and which are often associated with specialized criminal organizations, in this case with positive results, also framed within the prioritization of crimes established in the Regional Public Security Plan."

The eight detainees were placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry, while OS9 continues with investigative procedures to determine the possible involvement of other parties and the intended destination of the stolen wood.

Carabineros reiterated the call to forestry companies and the community to immediately report any suspicious activity in rural or forested areas, to enable a rapid police response and prevent the consolidation of such crimes.

Source:La Discusión