Latest news with #illegalfarming
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
59 cases of illegal durian farming in Pahang's forest reserves since 2019
Volunteers from 23 NGOs planted high-value timber trees in the Batu Talam Forest Reserve in Raub, after 15,000 illegally planted Musang King durian trees were discovered in the area. PETALING JAYA : The Pahang forestry department has carried out a total of 114 enforcement operations since 2019, involving 59 cases of encroachment on forest reserves for illegal durian farming. The department's director Zainuddin Jamaluddin said the 101 items seized from these forest areas included pickup trucks, motorcycles, and herbicide spraying equipment. He said the encroachments were detected through patrols, drones, and satellite surveillance, Berita Harian reported. 'Durian trees would be felled using chainsaws, regardless of the tree's size or the forest's location,' he said. 'This enforcement action is not cruel, even though many disagree with it. Before any operation is carried out, negotiations are held with the illegal farmers to give them a chance.' Offenders can be prosecuted under Sections 32, 47, and 50 of the National Forestry Act 1984, which carry penalties including imprisonment and fines. Zainuddin said that once the durian trees are cut down, the department's western zone silviculture office replants the area with high-value timber species such as meranti, merbau, perah, and keruing. According to him, the silviculture office and district enforcement agencies face various challenges, including the remote location of encroachment sites, fenced private land, and narrow, hazardous paths. 'Nonetheless, we continue our enforcement efforts to ensure that forest reserve encroachments do not persist. 'We will not compromise when it comes to forest reserve encroachments for illegal durian farming.' In 2021, the department cut down about 15,000 Musang King durian trees illegally planted across 101.17 hectares in the Batu Talam Forest Reserve in Raub. Around 20,000 trees, including merawan, meranti, balau, and keruing, were subsequently planted in the area. Last month, the department carried out enforcement operations against illegal durian farms in Sungai Ruan and Sungai Klau, Raub.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Empty properties targeted in cannabis crackdown
A new scheme aims to cut the number of illegal cannabis farms in Stoke-on-Trent by focusing on empty properties. The city council and Staffordshire Police said they would target privately rented homes, commercial buildings and council properties. They have encouraged the owners of these empty buildings to report anything suspicious and have warned of big fines for owners and tenants if a cannabis farm is found. In the last three months, 21 "significant cannabis grows" were discovered, a city council spokesperson said. Private landlords who knowingly allow cannabis grows in their properties have been told they could face criminal charges, while council tenants will see their tenancies terminated. The city council said it believed criminal gangs were targeting empty buildings and warned they could be a fire hazard. A spokesperson listed telltale signs that cannabis is being grown and said their housing teams would inspect high-risk properties, particularly those standing empty. Staffordshire Police said the signs included: A pungent smell High levels of condensation on windows, even in the warmer months Constantly covered or blacked-out windows A high number of deliveries or large items being taken in or out A constant buzz of ventilation Strong, constant lighting day and night Lots of power cables Unsociable comings and goings Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Large cannabis farm uncovered in town centre Cannabis with street value of £2.4m discovered Buyer checks pledge after site became cannabis farm Three arrests over city centre cannabis farm Staffordshire Police Stoke on Trent City Council
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Empty properties targeted in cannabis crackdown
A new scheme aims to cut the number of illegal cannabis farms in Stoke-on-Trent by focusing on empty properties. The city council and Staffordshire Police said they would target privately rented homes, commercial buildings and council properties. They have encouraged the owners of these empty buildings to report anything suspicious and have warned of big fines for owners and tenants if a cannabis farm is found. In the last three months, 21 "significant cannabis grows" were discovered, a city council spokesperson said. Private landlords who knowingly allow cannabis grows in their properties have been told they could face criminal charges, while council tenants will see their tenancies terminated. The city council said it believed criminal gangs were targeting empty buildings and warned they could be a fire hazard. A spokesperson listed telltale signs that cannabis is being grown and said their housing teams would inspect high-risk properties, particularly those standing empty. Staffordshire Police said the signs included: A pungent smell High levels of condensation on windows, even in the warmer months Constantly covered or blacked-out windows A high number of deliveries or large items being taken in or out A constant buzz of ventilation Strong, constant lighting day and night Lots of power cables Unsociable comings and goings Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Large cannabis farm uncovered in town centre Cannabis with street value of £2.4m discovered Buyer checks pledge after site became cannabis farm Three arrests over city centre cannabis farm Staffordshire Police Stoke on Trent City Council
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Empty Stoke-on-Trent properties targeted in cannabis crackdown
A new scheme aims to cut the number of illegal cannabis farms in Stoke-on-Trent by focusing on empty city council and Staffordshire Police said they would target privately rented homes, commercial buildings and council have encouraged the owners of these empty buildings to report anything suspicious and have warned of big fines for owners and tenants if a cannabis farm is the last three months, 21 "significant cannabis grows" were discovered, a city council spokesperson said. Private landlords who knowingly allow cannabis grows in their properties have been told they could face criminal charges, while council tenants will see their tenancies city council said it believed criminal gangs were targeting empty buildings and warned they could be a fire hazard.A spokesperson listed telltale signs that cannabis is being grown and said their housing teams would inspect high-risk properties, particularly those standing empty. Staffordshire Police said the signs included:A pungent smellHigh levels of condensation on windows, even in the warmer monthsConstantly covered or blacked-out windowsA high number of deliveries or large items being taken in or outA constant buzz of ventilationStrong, constant lighting day and nightLots of power cablesUnsociable comings and goings Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
