Nine illegal sawmills identified in western Imereti, Samegrelo regions

Georgia's State Sub-Agency Department of Environmental Supervision on Monday said nine illegal sawmills had been identified last month in the western Georgian regions of Imereti and Samegrelo. 

The body said three of the unregistered sawmills were sealed in Khoni municipality in Imereti, while six circular type sawing machines were sealed in backyards of residents of Chkhorotsku, Martvili and Senaki municipalities in Samegrelo.

Inspectors also found a “large amount” of illegally cut timber in the illegal sawmills. 

In total, 267 units of untreated round timber logs of various types and primary processing products with a volume of about 30 cubic metres were sealed.

With all nine cases containing signs of criminal offences, the Department has forwarded the materials to “relevant agencies for further response”.