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General News of Friday, 16 February 2001

Source: Joy Online

Drug Baron Extradited To Face Trial In USA.

The Ghana Police Narcotics Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department in collaboration with security agencies of the United States have arrested one of the most wanted Drug fugitive in the United States and extradited him to face trial in the United States.

The Drug Fugitive, Alhaji Osman Garba, fled the US to Ghana in 1997 when his accomplices in a major trans-oceanic drug trafficking scheme were arrested. He came to Ghana and set up a mobile phone company.

According to the DAILY GRAPHIC, Osman Garba is currently languishing in cells in the US waiting the commencement of the trial for two separate indictment with his accomplices with each of the charges carrying a maximum of 40 years imprisonment if convicted.

His other accomplices have been named as Lawal Prince Ahmed, Ibrahim Mamudu Salley, Mustapha Mohammud, Sulley Garba, Albert Kittoe a.k.a. Kwesi, Raymond Williams a.k.a Ebo, Lamar Beckett, Richard Brown and Luciano Polanco.

All the accomplices have proved guilty and implicated Garba, referring to him as the originator and source of their drug supplies.

Sources say the first indictment charge against Osman Garba a.k.a. Yaw Boateng is conspiracy to possess and with the intent to distribute 335 grammes of heroin in the U.S contrary to law. Ousman according to sources was the intended recipient of 335 grammes of heroin seized by the US Custom and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents in April 1997.

He was then charged in absentia on 17th June, 1997 but bolted away to Ghana. In their collaborative efforts, Osman was once trailed last year 26th September in his private BMW car with registration number, GR 4970N to Kokomlemle where he entered a Mobile Phone Shop, Standard Mobile Phone Company shop and he was subsequently arrested.

However he denied his involvement in any drug dealings in the US saying he left US on his own volition in 1997.

He also admitted knowing and moving with the accomplices while he was in the US. In line with the extradition treaty between Ghana and the US, he was extradited on 13th January this year and put before the Newark Magistrate Court of the US where he has been remanded for trial to commence on a later date.