SWABI, Feb 27: Timber smuggling is continuing unchecked from Mehaban Hill region and Gadoon Amazai belt through various unfrequented routes, sources said.

They said that forest wood was also being smuggled from Hazara division to other parts of the country through the Indus River at Labadam area. From Labadam the timber reaches Gadoon market through various routes and later transported to other parts of the country, the sources said and added that smugglers often used speedboats to carry out their business during night time.

They said that one speedboat was provided to the district police for chasing smugglers, but it had been lying useless at Topi police station for last several years.

The sources claimed that despite establishment of police and forest department’s checkposts, including the last checkpoint in Bada region on Gadoon-Topi road, the smugglers continue to carry out their activities through the plains of Swabi district.

The sources said that pick-ups were being used for timber transportation. They said that the smugglers continuously checked police presence in sensitive areas and gave go-ahead to transporters to move for destinations in Swabi and Mardan districts.

However, when contacted, a police officer said that they were alert and only a few days ago they caught a timber-laden pick-up near Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate and impounded it in the nearby police station. He said that the driver and his assistant fled the scene.

The sources said that the smugglers had been using routes, including Swabi-Buner road and its link roads besides Pehur high level canal at Palodand region, Salim Khan village and Gohati canal routes. They said that in some areas the smugglers transported timber on camels, as they could pass through difficult terrains. —Correspondent