Luena - Nine citizens of Zambian nationality on Wednesday, in Moxico Province were detained by the local Criminal Investigation Services (SIC), accused for illegal logging of the Mussive species, in the town of Caripande, bordering the Alto Zambezi municipality.
Speaking to the press, the SIC spokesperson in Moxico, Elisiário dos Passos, said that the aforementioned citizens were caught cutting down trees, with the help of three chainsaws, to sell this product in Zambia.
However, the accused will be presented to the Public Prosecutor's Office for legal procedures.
According to the new Angolan Penal Code, the crime of attacking the environment is punishable by a sentence of 1 to 5 years in prison.
The province of Moxico has 380,000 hectares of forests, making it the second largest in the country, after Cabinda Province.
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