General News of Tuesday, 2 June 2009

Source: GNA

Judgment in Chinese human trafficking case not ready

Accra, June 2, GNA - A Circuit Court in Accra, which was to deliver its verdict in the case of the three Chinese busted for transporting and trafficking 10 Chinese girls, to engage in the sex trade in Ghana, on Tuesday adjourned the matter to June 22.

Judgment was not ready when the case was called. On April 23, this year, the court fixed a date for judgment. This was after the defence filed its address before the court and the prosecution had called 10 witnesses to make their case. The defence called one witness.

James Xu Jin, 41, who is believed to be the ring leader and night club operator, Sam Shan Ying, a housewife and Chou Xiu Ying, a night club operator, are facing charges of conspiracy and human trafficking. The accused who pleaded not guilty are on remand. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mary Agbozo, the prosecutor, said the Police had information that some Chinese nationals had trafficked, a number of Chinese ladies to Ghana for sexual exploitation.

Consequently, on February 14, a group of Police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department led other police personnel to the house of the three accused persons at La in Accra. The prosecution said when the police went to the house they rescued seven of the victims, adding that, the whereabouts of three of them were unknown.

A search conducted in the house revealed condoms, contraceptives, wooden carved male organ and other medications and various sums of money, some of which belonged to the victims. The Police impounded a Toyota saloon car, with registration number GE 9314 W believed to have been used in transporting the victims for the sex trade.

ASP Agbozo said investigations revealed that James and San Shan, a couple, transported the victims from China while Chow sent the victims to their respective clients. The prosecution said one of the victims, Tin Tin, who could speak English, told them that James and San Shan brought them to Ghana and were paid 150 dollars on their return from their rounds.