A driver caught transporting illegally-sawn lumber from the Bobri Forest Reserve at Kubease in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality, has been convicted by the Juaso Circuit Court.

Kofi Gyasi, 35, was sentenced to a fine of GH¢2,400.00 and would serve nine months imprisonment, should he fail to pay the money.

He pleaded guilty to the charge of entering a forest reserve without authority.

The court presided over by Mr Alex Obeng Asante, ordered that the vehicle used for the illegal activity should be impounded and directed the owner to appear before it.

Police Inspector Manasseh Obimpe said Gyasi was arrested on July 30, at about 0100 hours by a task force set up by the Forest Services Division (FSD) of the Forestry Commission (FC) in response to the alarming destruction of the reserve through illegal chainsaw operations.

His other accomplices escaped but he was seized and together with the illegal lumber, valued at about GH¢4,500.00, escorted to the municipal office of the FSD.