The United States government has handed over equipment for a wood identification and screening centre to support Namibia’s fight against illegal timber trafficking.
The equipment was transferred on Thursday to Namibia’s minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Lucia Iipumbu, Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo and the Namibian Police Forensic Science Institute.
The centre will assist investigators in identifying illegally trafficked timber and strengthen investigations into natural resource crimes.
According to the United States embassy in Namibia, the centre is equipped with forensic technology and training provided through the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the US Forest Service.
The United States has committed more than US$2 million (about N$33 million) to establish the capability in Namibia.
In a statement, the embassy said illegal timber trafficking goes beyond environmental damage.
“Transnational timber trafficking is not solely an environmental issue. It is a serious criminal enterprise that undermines legitimate trade, fuels corruption and threatens natural resources,” the embassy said.
The embassy said the system will allow the police to analyse timber samples and determine whether they were harvested and transported legally.
The technology is expected to strengthen investigations into criminal networks involved in the illegal trade of timber across borders.
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