Four Cotton Tree Villagers Charged for Illegal Logging in Maya Forest Corridor

Four Cotton Tree Villagers of the Cayo District have been and charged for illegal possession of approximately 112 pieces of Mahogany, and 85 pieces of Salmwood. They are: Noemi Perez, 44, Wedlyn Maas, 21, Melvin Jesus Maas, 23, and Everardo Maas, 48. On Sunday, Wildlife Conservation Society rangers were patrolling the Southwest section of the Maya Forest Corridor when they found an active illegal logging site about seven miles along the Coastal Road on National Lands. 

Further investigation led to the discovery of the four villagers in possession of various sizes of illegal lumber; what they didn’t have were valid Logging permits. The rangers then alerted the Forestry and Police departments, which led to the group’s detention. Two vehicles, a blue Toyota 4Runner and a black Toyota pickup loaded with forest produce, were also seized. The next day, a follow-up interagency reconnaissance mission led to the discovery of an additional 30 pieces of mahogany in the surrounding area.