Two get 20 years for dealing in drugs

Accra June 18, GNA - The Greater Accra Regional Tribunal on Monday handed down a 10 year jail term each on two persons who were arrested for attempted exportation of narcotic drugs and possessing narcotics drugs (cocaine) without authority.

Albert Acquah and Emmanuel Asante pleaded guilty and the court, presided over by Mr Justice Frank Manu convicted them on their own plea. Prosecuting, Asiamah Sampong, Senior State Attorney said on November 6, last year at about 1900 hours, Acquah arrived at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to board a KLM flight to Spain. Prosecution said as he was going through departure formalities, personnel of the Narcotics Control Board picked him up for ex-ray examination which proved that he had foreign materials in his stomach. Mr Sampong said Acquah stated that he had swallowed 27 pellets and inserted two thumb seized pellets in his anus.

According to Acquah, he bought the drugs from one Kwabena Jones at a cost of 2,000 Euros at Kwesimintim in the Central Region. Acquah later expelled 29 oval pellets of the substance, which proved to be cocaine weighing 406.86 grammes.

In the case of Asante he was arrested on February 10, this year when he arrived at KIA about 2030 hours for a flight to Amsterdam. When he was sent to the 37 Military Hospital, he expelled 80 whitish substances suspected to be cocaine.

During interrogation, he said he received the drugs from one Eric to be delivered to a friend for a fee of 3,000 Euro. When the drugs were sent to GSB they proved positive for cocaine weighing 786.87 grammes. 18 June 07