“MIA of Russia officers in the Irkutsk Region with the power support of Rosgvardia fighters suppressed the illegal activities of a group of persons suspected of illegal logging in the Chunsky District of the Angara area,” reported the official representative of the MIA of Russia Irina Volk.

According to the available information, a previously convicted for similar crimes, 51-year-old native of one of the countries of Transcaucasia, being a conscientious tenant of a forest plot, organized in parallel the harvesting of high-quality timber and its transportation under prepared in advance legal documents. The total damage caused to the State Forest Fund exceeded 10 million rubles.

General Investigation Administration of the MIA of Russia GA for the Irkutsk Region with regard to the organizer of the illegal business, as well as 20 of his accomplices, one of whom was a forestry employee, initiated a criminal case under part 3 of Article 260 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

During the searches, the police seized forestry equipment, including 2 loaders, 10 timber trucks and tractors.

To ensure compensation for the damage caused, the investigative authorities arrested expensive SUVs and cars belonging to the suspects, as well as seized cash in excess of 5 million rubles, that was allegedly obtained illegally.

With regard to the five defendants, including the organizer of the forest felling, the court has chosen a preventive measure in the form of remand in custody, three are under a written undertaking not to leave the place. At present, the issue of choosing a preventive measure for other defendants is being considered.

Preliminary investigation of all episodes of unlawful activities of the “black loggers” group continues.