Police in Russia's Primorye Territory detained a tree thief carrying about 200 fir trees in his truck, a police spokeswoman said.
According to Tatyana Sinitsina, police stopped a truck for a routine inspection and discovered 183 fir trees inside the vehicle intended for sale in the build-up to New Year.
"The truck driver failed to provide documents to prove the trees were cut down legally," the spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman said that if forest damage is estimated at over 5,000 rubles (about $ 170) the thief will be brought to trial. The minimum fine for a downed tree is 2,000 rubles (around $70).
VLADIVOSTOK, December 25 (RIA Novosti)
