Takoradi, Nov. 11, GNA - A Takoradi circuit court on Wednesday sentenced seven chainsaw operators to eight years in imprisonment in hard labour for illegal felling of timber in Boin River Forest Reserve in the Western Region.

The seven convicts were charged with illegal felling of timber and unlawful entry. The convicts were George Nsiah, 30, Kwabena Charles Azibilla, 31 and Osman Hudah, 35.

The rest are Samuel Amponsah 24, Kwame Mensah Sentor, 31, Adama Oldman, 18 and Kwame Oppong, 23.

The presiding judge, Mr. Charles Bamfo Nimako, sentenced the leader of the group, George Nsiah, to two years in prison whilst the rest were sentenced to 12 months each in hard labour.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police Richard Bortey said on October 28 a combined team of Forestry Commission, the Military and the Immigration Service apprehended the convicts in the Boin River Forest Reserve along Ghana/Cote d'Ivoire border near Enchi.