Hanoi police have arrested 20 locals suspected of logging endangered sua trees at various locations in the capital city over the last two months.

They also confiscated logs of sua (Dalbergia tonkinensis prain) trees as well as implements including saws at the suspects’ houses – mainly in Thanh Oai District’s Cao Vien Commune – on Sunday.

Duong Trong Giap, deputy head of Social Order Crimes Investigation Bureau (PC14), said the suspects have admitted felling the trees from public places like the Thong Nhat Park and threatening people who caught them logging and tried to raise an alarm.

Preliminary investigations show the gang was involved in 14 logging cases since July.

However, little is known about the final destination of the wood, according to PC14, which added that further investigation was being conducted into the case.

The sua trees have been listed as an endangered flora species in Vietnam and it also figures in the international red list. Wood of the tree fetches around VND1.9 million (US$106.55) per kilogram,

Hanoi police last week found more than one ton of sua wood of between 10-40 years old at two sawmills in Nhi Khe Commune, Thuong Tin District.

Despite the ban on the wood being traded or otherwise used for commercial purposes, the sua tree, locally known as trac thoi or huynh dan, is felled in Vietnam for its aromatic and medicinal properties. It is believed to cure a host of diseased and be highly effective in aiding psychic treatment.

As of July, Hanoi had 717 sua trees, 509 of which were planted on roadsides and 208 in public parks, mostly in the districts of Hoan Kiem, Cau Giay and Hai Ba Trung.

VietNamNet/Thanh Nien/Tuoi Tre