A ship carrying sixty-six containers of Mozambique timber that had been illegally exported to China has returned to Mozambique according to Deutsche Well. (Another ten containers are also sailing back to Mozambique.)

The containers had already been seized in Mozambique in August of 2020 because the logs within the containers were suspected to be illegal.

See also: Why destroy seized timber to save forests?

Despite reportedly being under the jurisdiction of the provincial Prosecutor’s Office, in January of 2021, at least part of the containers were exported illegally from the Port of Pemba to China.

See also: Seven containers of logs from Cambodia including Rosewood seized in Hong Kong

Mozambique was able to recover the timber by issuing an international search warrant, working with the Chinese Embassy, and the maritime shipping lines.

The alleged owner of the wood and an employee of his were arrested. Others are being investigated.

See also: Suriname seized timber in 100 containers at Paramaribo Port

Timber species in the containers are said to include Umbila (or Muninga) and Jambire (or Panga Panga). Common names for Pterocarpus angolensis and Millettia stuhlmannii respectively.

This is a developing story. Last updated May 18, 2021 5:31pm EST.

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