The police command in the Northern Region has arrested a Chinese woman, Helena Huang, 43, for illegally transporting rosewood from the area.
Briefing journalists in Tamale, the Northern Regional Police Crime Officer, Superintendent Otuo Acheampong, said police officers at the Vittin Barrier intercepted two trucks loaded with four containers of rosewood.
He said the woods have been taken to the police headquarters in Tamale and the suspect, Helena Huang, has claimed ownership.
Mr Acheampong said preliminary investigations established that the Chinese national had no log measurement, no conveyance certificate and no lumber inspection certificate.
Additionally, he stated that as of the time of her arrest, Ms Huang could neither produce her passport nor resident and working permit.
The suspect, however, claims she has all those documents but could not readily produce them as of the time of her arrest. She said she will submit the documents to the police soon.
The Crime Officer, however, said checks with the Ghana Immigration Service indicate she has none of those documents.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in March 2019 banned the transportation, conveyance and exportation of rosewood in the country.
Meanwhile, there was drama at the regional headquarters of the police when Ms Huang alleged that the police demanded GHS200 from her at the checkpoint to set her free but failed to mention whether or not she obliged.
In a sharp rebuttal, however, the PRO of the police command, DSP Yussif Tanko, said as far as the police [command] is concerned, the officers have done a very good job.
He said the regional command issued an instruction and a clear directive to all the officers at the checkpoints as well as those on patrol to apprehend any culprit found to be perpetuating any illegality.
Mr Tanko said the allegation of bribery would be investigated.
Source: Classfmonline
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