PORTLAND, Jamaica — A Portland man has been found guilty of unlawful use of a sawmill after being caught operating the equipment in a forest estate without a licence.

The accused, David Taylor, appeared before the Portland Parish Court and was fined $20,000 for the incident which happened back in March 2022 in the Lennox Forest Estate in Portland. Acting Senior Parish Judge Patricia Lopez presided over the matter.

The conviction follows an investigation by the Forestry Department.

Reports are that on March 23, 2022, Taylor was caught operating the chainsaw (sawmill) during a routine patrol of the forest estate. After questioning, Taylor was found to be operating a sawmill without a licence and was served a Notice of Seizure for the 25 pieces of Spanish Elm lumber that were recovered during the operation.

Kadian Cruickshank, Senior Director of the Legal Services Branch at the Forestry Department, says the conviction is welcomed and hopes it will dissuade others from operating illegally. She encourages others to regularise themselves; otherwise, they risk a similar fate.

“We encourage the public to obtain the requisite licences and permits to avoid prosecution. Sawmill licences are valid for the calendar year in which they are granted, and as such, persons are encouraged to commence the application process before January of each year so they will have the full 12 months to use their licences”, said Cruickshank.

The Forestry Department issues licences to operate sawmills and to cut or extract timber or forest produce. Permits are needed for the use of the forest road, to remove timber or forest produce, to use and/or transport a power saw, and to use or light an open fire or charcoal kiln in forest estates.

Taylor breached Regulation 25(1)(a) of the Forest Regulations, which states: “no person shall without a valid licence or permit for the licence and purpose approved by the Conservator pursuant to section 28 of the permit Act and to this Regulation – (a) drive, transport or use in any place a sawmill of any type or make…”