Kachin State, which is bordered with China on the north and east of the country, has been the main area of concentration for the Myanmar Armed Forces, which is charged with protecting the forests, an unidentified colonel from the Ministry of Defense Services said.
"Previously, we only used unmanned drones, but now we are also using manned crafts," the colonel said. "The cost, of course, is much higher."
He did not reveal the cost of such operations.
Efforts to catch smugglers have been greatly enhanced since a Chinese smuggling ring was captured in January in the Waingmaw region of Kachin State. Another Chinese smuggling attempt was foiled on March 21 following a shoot-out in Mansi Township after authorities halted vehicles carrying illegal timber.
Regional representatives from the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry, Myanma Timber Enterprise and locals have reported that Chinese smuggling rings in Kachin and Shan states have been operating for about a year.
The 138 Chinese smugglers caught in January are still under investigation. The latest investigations have found total log contraband weighing over 3,121 tonnes.
Chinese smugglers play the biggest role in the world's illegal timber trade with more than US$ 7 billion worth of wood imported into China, of which 90% is taken from Myanmar, according to a presentation by the ministry's Forest Department. Some observers insist that China protects its citizens who are involved in timber smuggling from prosecution.
http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/daily-aerial-surveillance-protects-the-forests/
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