Kunar police arrest nine over timber smuggling

The Taliban-run administration in Kunar says nine people have been arrested in connection with the smuggling of forest timber in Dara Pech district of the province.

According to officials from Kunar police command, members of the forest protection unit detained the group along with a Datsun vehicle during a search operation in different parts of Dara Pech district.

Shamsullah Sarhadi, commander of the forest protection unit, said the men were arrested by security forces while illegally transporting forest timber for the purpose of smuggling.

Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan is among the areas with natural forests, and the cutting and illegal transportation of timber in some parts of the province is considered a recurring issue.