The border guards investigate the scene. — VNA/VNS Photo Khiếu Tư

THANH HÓA — Five people have been caught red-handed using chain saws to illegally harvest wood from natural forests in the central province of Thanh Hóa, local authorities announced on Monday.

They were discovered by the Pù Nhi Border Guard Station, after many days of verification and undercover surveillance.

They were all from Mường Lát District, including Hơ Văn Va, 28, Hơ Văn Cấu, 37, Hơ Văn Di, 48, Hơ Văn Lênh, 31, all living in Cơm Village, Pù Nhi Commune; and Gia Văn Va, 40, from Lốc Há Village, Nhi Sơn Commune.

Last Wednesday, the five cut down a tree with a trunk length of 18.2m in Region 118 of Pha Dương forest zone.

The Pù Nhi Border Guards temporarily confiscated their chain saw along with fuel, knives and five motorbikes.

Based on the joint investigation with the Mường Lát District Forest Ranger Department, the five are suspected of violating Article 232, Penal Code 2015, regulating the exploitation and protection of forests and forest products.

The Pù Nhi Border Guards completed the dossier and handed over the case to the Mường Lát District Police for further investigation. — VNS