Conaf participates in inspection of sawmills in Itata to strengthen wood traceability and prevent forest crimes

The National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) of Ñuble participated in a thorough inspection of sawmills in the commune of Quirihue, focused on preventing the crime of wood theft and protecting forest heritage through traceability control and legality in the commercialization chain.

The operation was deployed in the field in a coordinated action with the Forest Patrol of Carabineros de Quirihue, the Provincial Presidential Delegation of Itata, and the Regional Ministerial Secretariat of Public Security, with the aim of detecting irregular stockpiles and ensuring that each cubic meter of wood came from authorized and legal management plans.

This inter-institutional intervention is framed within the application of Law No. 21.488, which toughens penalties against wood theft and requires rigorous control mechanisms over its origin.

During the inspections, Conaf was represented by inspectors from the Department of Inspection and Environmental Evaluation, who, along with other technical teams, verified the records of various sawmills and reviewed dispatch guides and documents to certify the traceability of forest products.

The director of Conaf Ñuble, Domingo González Zúñiga, highlighted that “these joint inspection actions are fundamental to safeguarding regulated forestry activity, discouraging unfair competition, and combating wood theft, which is very relevant considering that this activity is a pillar for the socioeconomic development of Itata and the region.”

During the field deployment, the Provincial Presidential Delegate of Itata, Tomás Landaeta, emphasized that this type of action “is part of the Plan Against Organized Crime promoted by the Government.”

For his part, the Regional Ministerial Secretary of Public Security of Ñuble, Héctor Ponce, stated that these inspections “are framed within the ongoing work being carried out in the Ñuble region to confront organized crime and strengthen preventive and control capacities in coordination with various state institutions.”