The National Revenue Authority (NRA) has on Wednesday, 25th, January 2023 uncovered massive illegal timber depot in Port Loko District, Northern part of Sierra Leone.

According to the Anti-Smuggling Unit of the NRA, the issue of timber smuggling has lingered on for a while now in that part of the country. He noted that the illegal cartel has caused a lot of harm to the country and its citizens.

The team stated that illicit movement of timber in Portloko District has made the country to lose millions of Leones that should have gone into the development of the country, but which have gone into the pockets of smugglers.

The Anti Smuggling Unit further disclosed that, the illicit timber cartel going on in Bundorlloh community has spanned on for a considerable number of years, and that has greatly deprived the people living in the community to benefit from the natural resource God blessed them with.

“The activities usually happen across various unlawful crossing points between Guinea and Sierra Leone borders,” the Assistance Commissioner of the Anti Smuggling Unit and Border Control Manager Richard Senessie noted.

The Deputy Commissioner continued that the number of illegal incidents of timber at the various border points are unprecedented, stating that the Authority has alerted all security personnel at the various border points to be vigilant against illegal timber dealers.

H added that massive Investigations are underway to uncover every illegal timber dealing in the country.

Senessie commended NRA’s Anti-Smuggle Unit continued efforts in ensuring that the public is always informed on every illegal timber operations going on in Port Loko, and the country at large.

He encouraged citizens at different border crossing points between Sierra Leone and neighbouring Guinea where many of the illegal timber trade is done to be vigilant and not afraid to report any illegal activities.