Sorsogon police arrested a man with five (5) sacks, containing 136 kilos of Agarwood chunks worth an estimated market value of Php 2,730,000 million on Tuesday,March 15, 2022.
According to Sorsogon Police Provincial Office (PPO), a report said about a black Nissan Almera is allegedly loaded with Agarwood or “Lapnisan” in local dialect.
Police intercepted the said vehicle in Barangay Buenavista, Gubat and seized the Agarwood chunks.
Agarwood is on the list of Endangered/threatened Philippine plants by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Its oil, resin is processed for expensive perfume.
The suspect will face charges for Violation of Presidential Decree No. 705 or “Revised Forestry Code” as amended by PD NO. 1559, Executive Order No. 277 and of Republic Act No. 7161.
The violation is penalized from 6 to 12 years imprisonment, and a fine of Php 100,000.00 to Php1,000,000.00.
No bail was recommended for the suspect’s temporary release.