Chinese illegal Rosewood dealer still on the run

Police in the Northern region are still unable to determine the whereabouts of Chinese, Helen Huang, wanted for illegally transporting Rosewood.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the 43-year-old woman, who jumped bail, is in neighbouring Togo.

She was arrested in Tamale early this month for transporting trucks of Rosewood lumbers and charged with possessing banned forestry products.

She was however declared missing some 48 hours after being granted a police Inquiry bail.

The person who stood surety for madam Huang, Mohammed Bondirgbum, was thereafter arrested and granted 3,000 bail on May 13, after he failed to produce her.

Northern regional police PRO Mohammed Yusif Tanko told Joy News they are still on a manhunt for Helena who accused checkpoint officers of demanding a ¢8,000 bribe before her arrest.

Ms Huang has confessed to being the owner of the rosewoods when she was arrested

“We are still looking for Helen Huang to arrest her to assist in our investigations and possible prosecution. The surety has gone to court for the second time but has not been able to produce her. He has been given another opportunity to do so,” ASP Tanko said.

He added that the police are not leaving Mohammed Bondirgbum to do the search alone, “we are also doing everything possible to ensure that Helen Huang is arrested and prosecuted.”

ASP Tanko disclosed that a warrant of arrest has been issued and police will leave no stone unturned in their search.

Meanwhile, the CEO of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie has said his office is struggling to deal with the Rosewood menace due to inadequate and aged staff.

She accused police of demanding a bribe

Currently, between five and 10 Forestry Commission guards are charged to man a 70.887 square kilometre area and this for Mr Owusu Afriyie is woefully inadequate.

“It is almost impossible for them to at all times be everywhere,” he said adding that regardless of the low personnel, the Commission is doing its best to arrest and prosecute people who flout the law.

“I need the hands of another 1,000 to 2,000 people to augment what we have. People have died, others have moved on, some have retired, some are aged and cannot even walk far so we need young blood, young legs to augment that,” he said

 

Source: myjoyonline.com