Helena Huang appears in court, handed over to Immigration Service
The Chinese national who jumped bail after her arrest for attempting to transport four containers of rosewood from Tamale has been produced in court after almost a month.
Helena Huang and the person who stood surety for her, Mohammed Bondirigbun appeared before the circuit court presided over by Justice Twumasi Appiah.
Bondirigbun was acquitted by the court and Helena Huang handed over to the Immigration Service for further action.
It also emerged that no formal charges had been proffered against Helen Huang.
The Immigration Service Command in the Northern Region has indicated that it will transfer Helena Huang to the head office in Accra for further investigations.
No details were given on the transfer.
Acting Regional Commander, Chief Superintendent of immigration, William Peter Ando, told the media that “I have listened to her [Helena Huang] and I feel that looking at the case, I am sending her to Accra for further investigations.”
Huang arrested
Helena Huang was arrested by Police in Tamale for allegedly attempting to smuggle four containers of Rosewood.
The Police said they intercepted two trucks in Tamale loaded with containers of rosewood belonging to the Chinese national.
According to the Northern Regional Police crime officer, Superintendent Otuo Acheampong, Helena Huang failed to produce her passport and other documents to show that she legally acquired the products.
She was granted a police inquiry bail on the same day but was said to have jumped bail.
Police subsequently dragged her surety to court over the issue.
Huang’s company shut down
Export of rosewood has been banned in Ghana.
Savannah Regional Minister, Salifu Adam Braimah earlier ordered the closure of Brivywell Company, the timber firm owned by Helena Huang.
The firm, which is located in Yipala, a farming community near Damongo is said to be engaged in illegal logging and processing of rosewood, which has been banned, for export.
The Minister has also set up a nine-member committee to investigate illegal logging activities in the region.