Four arrested for stealing centuries-old trees

The group of Stout Camphor trees found in mountain areas of Taimali Township in Taitung County endured numerous natural disasters but did not survive manmade damages.

Local media said three local officers came across a mini-truck followed by a gravel car. When they were about to stop the vehicles, the gravel car attempted to flee.

Police later found an 8-meters long sacred tree with a 212-centimeters wide diameter on the gravel car that suspect, surnamed Lee, was driving, local reporters said.

They added that the men chopped the centuries-old tree in half to convenient transportation.

According to the police, researchers from the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute (FRI) were shocked and many expressed grievance in response to the crime.

Police said the suspects claimed that the tree was lying on its side already when he went to the mountain areas, local media reported.

FRI officials said Stout Camphor trees are worth NT$60,000 per meter-square in the market, adding that the four alleged men could've gotten several million NT dollars for it.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email