General News of Friday, 7 July 2006

Source: Ghanaian Times

Two women grabbed with 'Cocaine'

Two women suspected to be narcotics drug couriers, have been arrested by officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), while going through departure formalities at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

The two, Rose Dede Tetteh, 33, a Ghanaian, and Philomena Zibilah, 27, a Nigerian, were arrested on June 30 and July 2, respectively.

Acting Executive Director of the Narcotics Control Board, ACP Daniel Laryea Odai, said Rose was arrested while going through departure formalities for a flight to London.

He said narcotics officials, who were suspicious of the unusual size of her hairdo, conducted a search on her which resulted in the discovery of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine concealed in a brown envelop hidden in the wig.

He said Rose was subsequently arrested and during interrogation, she said the parcel was given to her for delivery to somebody in London for a fee of 4,500 pounds sterling.

She, however, declined to disclose the name of the person who gave her the parcel and its intended recipient.

In the case involving Philomena, ACP Odai said she was arrested on June 30, on arrival at the airport from Togo, in transit to Italy, whilst going through pre-boarding formalities.

A search on her, ACP Odai said, revealed 20 thumb-size pellets suspected to be cocaine concealed under her breasts.

ACP Odai said a further search on her revealed 28 pellets in her private parts.

He said an X-ray examination at a hospital revealed more substances in her body.

The suspect, he said, was consequently arrested and put under observation during which she expelled 34 pellets, bringing to 82, the number of pellets found on her.

ACP Odai said the substances have been forwarded to the Ghana Standards Board for examination while the suspect is being held in custody for the officials to conduct further investigation.

He stated that the Board would not relent in its resolve to flush out from the society people who deal in narcotic drugs.

“NACOB in collaboration with the other security agencies are up to the task to clamp down on the activities of people who engage in the drug trade in this country.”