Akyem Oda (E/R), Aug. 29, GNA - A combined team of the Akyem Oda District Forestry Monitoring Team and the police last Thursday, impounded two trucks loaded with a quantity of chainsaw lumber, which were concealed under firewood.

Mr Thomas Okyere, the Akyem Oda District Manager of the Forest Services Division (FSD) told the Ghana News Agency that on Thursday August 24, at about 2330 hours, he had a tip-off that the trucks, which were loaded with lumber and covered with firewood, were heading towards Accra through the Akyem Achiase -Akyem Anamase route. He said he quickly mobilised the monitoring team and took the main Akyem Oda-Agona Swedru road, and with the assistance of the police, intercepted the vehicles on the way but the drivers managed to escape. Mr Okyere said, when the vehicles were searched they discovered that they were carrying a quantity of lumber, which were concealed under a heap of firewood to deceive forestry officials. He said the two vehicles were later sent to the district office of the FSD and the case reported to the Akyem Oda police for further investigations.

Mr Okyere said, as at now nobody had come to claim ownership of the vehicles and their consignment. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the police, especially the Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Ben Atadana for the protection they gave to the monitoring team against any possible attack from illegal chainsaw operators during the operation. The District Forestry Manager pleaded with the public to continue to divulge such vital information to them at all times to be able to combat the activities of illegal chainsaw operators. He advised other district managers to take a clue from new methods being adopted by smugglers to outwit them. 29 Aug. 06