Nigerian in court for importing and possessing narcotics

Accra, March 16, GNA - A Nigerian, Gabriel Alaoma, who was arrested with 4.722 grams of heroine at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) was on Tuesday brought before a Circuit Court in Accra, charged with importing and possessing narcotic drugs without lawful authority. Alaoma's plea was not taken.

The Court chaired by Mr Anthony Oppong, remanded him into prison custody to reappear on April 6.

The facts as presented by the Prosecution were that Alaoma lived at 12 Okoko Street, Okokomako; Lagos State.

On March 12 he arrived at KIA, Accra on board Emirates Flight Number EK781B from Karachi, Pakistan supposedly enroute to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

The Prosecution said Alaoma's movement at the transit lounge aroused the suspicion of the personnel of the Narcotic Control Board, who picked him up for a search.

A search into a brief case he was holding revealed four large parcels of powdery substances concealed in a false compartment.

During interrogation, Alaoma alleged that the suspected drugs were given to him by one Ademola in Lahore, Pakistan to be given to one Kabiru in Abidjan for a fee of 4,000 dollars.

The Prosecution said a test conducted on the substance in the presence of Alaoma proved that it was heroine with field test gross weight of 4.722 grams.