Highly placed intelligence gathered by The Herald reveals that an official of British Airways in Ghana and seven others have been arrested over the narcotic drugs trafficking, as part of the Ghana government’s anti-narcotic war, in partnership with the British government and Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States of America.

The British Airways officer, whose name was given as Eric Manu, and said to be a close relative of a powerful Minister (name withheld) who served at the heart of the Kufuor Administration, was busted with the seven others some two weeks ago.

Manu, who until his arrest, operated on behalf of British Airways at the Kotoka International Airport and his partners are presently in specialized cells, assisting the Ghanaian law enforcement agencies and the Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA) of Britain, in their investigations. He is said to have placed drug smugglers on the airline to Britain.

Country Manager for British Airways Ghana, Mr. Paul Dhami, last Friday admitted the arrest of his staff, but declined to give details, insisting “the issue is confidential,” and that BA will like to keep it that, “especially so when the police are still investigating.”

The Herald’s sources within the British intelligence say the eight suspects who are expected to be extradited to the UK to face trial, are part of a ring of drug barons and couriers operated here in Ghana. Their names were dropped by some drugs couriers who were arrested by the British authorities.

The arrest is said to have unruffled some Ghanaian politicians and journalists believed to be on their payrolls. Some of these politicians, The Herald learnt, have already sent emissaries to these special cells, begging not to have their names mentioned.

Meanwhile, surveillance has also been mounted to track down for a certain “Boat” who once worked for CEPS. He is believed to be part of the gang. The Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), Yaw Akrasi Sarpong, declined to comment when reached on phone by The Herald.