News

Helena Huang deported after Rosewood smuggling case

• By EDMOND GYEBI
• July 03, 2019
• 21

The Chinese national arrested with four containers of Rosewood, Helena Huang has been deported.

Her deportation, which was made known by the Ghana Immigration Service was based on the revocation of her resident permit due to her engagement in the alleged smuggling of Rosewood.

The Daily Graphic sighted a notice signed by the Comptroller General of the Immigration Service which said the Chinese national was informed that “her permit to remain in Ghana has been revoked.” The paper also noted that the 43-year-old was deported on June 26.

Ms Huang before this action had jumped bail for over six weeks before being rearrested.

No formal charges had been proffered against her when she appeared in a Tamale court last week but she was handed over to the Immigration Service.

She is the second Chinese national reported to have been deported and not tried in a Ghanaian court for engaging in an illegal action that degrades the environment.

Aisha Huang who was described as the galamsey queen following her involvement in illegal mining was also deported in a similar way.

Helena Huang was arrested earlier in 2019 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.

Source: citinewsroom.com