Phitsanulok Governor Preecha Ruangchan traveled to the Khao Krayang forest reserve in Nong Katao subdistrict in Nakhon Thai district to inspect a number of illegal timbers seized.
They were found during a raid by a special unit for deforestation suppression yesterday.
Four suspects were also arrested during the raid. Authorities have filed charges against them for exceeding the legal limit on possession of restricted wood.
Preecha said the special unit was stunned when they found Phitsanulok deputy provincial police chief Police Colonel Pobnakarin Panthong and Police Senior Sergeant Major Porn Kokpong, an officer from Nakhon Thai police station, at the scene.
Chain saws and various logging instruments were found on a police pick-up truck.
The two police officers claimed that they received a report about the illegal logging and rushed to arrest the loggers and confiscate the evidence before the special unit reached the scene.
Phitsanulok provincial police chief Police Major General Thammanoon Petburikul has set up a fact-finding panel to investigate the officers' claim.
The panel will also determine if the officers were involved in the deforestation and if criminal charges would be filed against them. The result is expected to be released within the next couple of days.
The special unit for deforestation suppression has also conducted a search at Police Senior Sergeant Major Porn's house at Noen Sawang village in the same district. The authorities found illegal logs and processed wood at the house.
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