Feb 17, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. Sierra Leone's anti-graft agency had intercepted 13 more containers of timber for shipment, despite a ban on exports meant to end rampant plunder of the country's forests, as AFP reported. A week ago 11 containers were forced open by the commission and found to contain timber. Nine port and customs officials as well as a shipping agent were arrested and released on bail. Port officials said the jam-packed containers were labelled as scrap metals and anti-corruption agents held them back minutes before they were about to be shipped to unnamed south east Asian countries. Timber export was once a lucrative foreign exchange earner in Sierra Leone but the government in late 2007 slapped a ban on exports, citing indiscriminate plundering of the country's forests by foreign companies. These were mostly Chinese and South East Asian businesses that elbowed out small-time local operators. Export data is disputed but available figures from the trade ministry showed that a total of $20 million worth of timber were exported in 2007 before the ban was effected. Environmentalists have warned that less than five percent of forested areas are left in the West African country.