People often associate illegal logging with general environmental destruction, loss of specific species (esp. long-lived hardwoods) and exploitation of protecte

People often associate illegal logging with general environmental destruction, loss of specific species (esp. long-lived hardwoods) and exploitation of protected national parks - which is all true. The reality on the ground is just like any lucrative illegal activity, such as drugs: it is run by violent mafia cartels. The cartels bribe senior national politicians, terrorize/bribe local officials and threaten communities. Rival gangs often have shoot-outs in remote forest areas. Many poor/desperate young men who join the lumberjack crews never come back. The bodies will never be found.