TEMPO Interactive, Pontianak:Illegal logging is back with a vengeance in West Kalimantan. Up till June, the police have handled 49 separate cases of illegal logging, this year alone. “Suspects are trying to take advantage of the weaknesses in the police force as well as the fact that illegal logging is no longer under media spotlight,” said West Kalimantan police spokesman Adj. Comr. Mukson Munandar on Thursday, June 21, 2012. The state suffers losses of not only billions of rupiah but also hectares and hectares of protected forests. From January to mid June, the Ketapang police recorded the most number of cases - namely 15; the Directorate for Research and Special Crimes of West Kalimantan and Bengkayang Regency, six cases each; Sambas police, five cases; Sintang police, four cases; the Directorate of Water Police, three cases; Pontianak police, two cases, Sekadau police, three cases; Melawi police, one case; and Sanggau police, one case. The police are processing 31 suspects for violating existing regulations linked to illegal logging. They have also secured to safety evidence such as processed timber and round logs, as well as several cars and boats. ASEANTY PAHLEVI