Federal prosecutors in Baja California Sur have charged a man with crimes against biodiversity after officers found roughly 71 cubic meters of pine lumber being sold without legal permits at a property along the La Paz to San Juan de Los Planes highway.
The suspect, identified as Omar “N” under Mexican privacy law, was arrested by agents from FECOR, the regional specialized unit of the FGR (Fiscalía General de la República, Mexico’s federal attorney general’s office). The operation was launched after an anonymous tip reported unlicensed timber sales at the site.
Firearm and Ammunition Also Seized
During the search of the property, officers recovered more than just lumber. Agents seized a firearm, live ammunition, and spent shell casings at the location. The presence of a weapon added another layer to the charges filed against the suspect.
A federal judge formally bound Omar “N” to the criminal process and set a two-month window for complementary investigation. The charges fall under Mexico’s federal environmental criminal law, which governs the illegal harvest, transport, and sale of protected forest species.
Pine Timber Requires Strict Federal Permits in Mexico
In Mexico, the sale and transport of timber from protected species requires documentation issued by SEMARNAT (the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources). Sellers must carry forestry permits proving the wood was legally harvested. Pine species in Baja California Sur fall under these federal protections.
The La Paz to San Juan de Los Planes highway runs southeast from the state capital through a rural corridor popular with expats and outdoor enthusiasts. San Juan de Los Planes sits about 45 kilometers from downtown La Paz and is known for its proximity to beaches like Playa El Tecolote and Balandra.
Buying or receiving unlicensed timber can carry legal consequences for purchasers under Mexican federal law. The FGR encouraged anyone with knowledge of environmental crimes to report them through its anonymous tip line, which operates year-round.
This story was first reported by BCS Noticias.