Two people were arrested in the Netherlands recently on suspicion of importing wood products from Russia. As the EU continues to crack down on illegal products from sanctioned countries, it’s important to know where your wood comes from!
Authorities in the Netherlands have arrested a 73 year-old man and 46 year-old woman from Ridderkerk. EU officials suspect them of purchasing Russian Birch Plywood via a Chinese supplier. Police have searched their homes and businesses in Ridderkerk, and customs officials have seized their affected stock.
The Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) carried out these arrests. They are an agency of the Netherlands government that investigates financial crime. FIOD confirmed that both suspects were directors of two companies. The FIOD believe that the product in question is Russian Birch Plywood, and that they circumvented the rules by purchasing from a Chinese supplier.
Timber products from Russia and Belarus are classified as ‘Conflict Timber’, and are still illegal to import. You can avoid purchasing Conflict Timber by using a reputable supplier. You can find out more about Conflict Timber in this Article by our Managing Director.
These arrests prove that the EU is taking illegal imports very seriously, and that it’s important to that know where your panel products come from. Here at DHH, we pride ourselves on only purchasing Birch Plywood from approved sources. All of our Birch Plywood is fully legal, and complies with international law. We pride ourselves on using safe supply chains.
You can find out more about these arrests via this TTJ Online Article.
