Operation in Alerce Norte uncovers illegal sawmill next to a wetland

An inspection operation in an irregular occupation in the Alerce Norte sector, involving officials from the Public Security Directorate of the Puerto Montt municipality and Carabineros, led to the identification of an illegal sawmill operating with high production of firewood timber.

At the site, large stockpiles of cut timber and other wood yet to be cut were found, along with the equipment and machinery used for this work. This inspection procedure also included the participation of officials from the Internal Revenue Service (SII), the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), and the Seremi of Security, among others.

The mayor of Puerto Montt, Rodrigo Wainraihgt, stated that residents had reported a series of incivilities occurring in the sector, including the illegal operation of the sawmill. "We came to intervene in this place, where we are going to implement collaborative work, together with the Presidential Delegation and the Seremi of Security, to evict it. Especially because of the incivilities currently generated in Alerce Norte," he expressed.

"So we are working on the ground and, above all, on something our residents have asked us for a lot, which is making progress in terms of security," he added.

According to SII inspectors, although the people in charge of the sawmill legally acquired the wood found at the site, the subsequent production and commercialization of it occurred illicitly, as tax evasion was confirmed by trading it without any type of authorization.

Major Hardy Huenul Carrasco of Carabineros, commissioner of the Sixth Police Station of Alerce, highlighted that the coordinated work with municipal officials and Conaf made it possible to identify the illicit operation of this sawmill.

"It was joint work to establish the ownership of the firewood and also to inspect specific locations. Here there is a large amount of eucalyptus and pine firewood. The corresponding fines were issued for evasion of tax infractions. And the vehicles transporting it were also inspected," he indicated.

Potential environmental damage

The recovery of the public space occupied for this illegal wood stockpile also determined this inspection operation, according to Francisco Muñoz, Seremi of Public Security.

"There are several infractions that have been issued, but our goal is to recover this space that belongs to Bienes Nacionales," he commented.

"It is exotic wood. If it were native forest, it would qualify under the Wood Theft Law, but here they are notified by Internal Revenue for not issuing the tax document, which is the sale of the wood. And also by Rentas y Patentes, which in my opinion is the most important, because they are carrying out a commercial activity without municipal permits," he said.

Fernando Gebhard, regional director of Conaf Los Lagos, added that an impact on the environment could also be proven due to this illicit activity. "We could send an official notice to the Ministry of the Environment, because there is also environmental damage, because it is also a wetland. It could be the additional procedure regarding what Conaf determined at this location," he stated.