Ghanaian faces death in Malaysia...for drug trafficking

The attention of the Ghana High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has been drawn to a publication on PeaceFM Online, (culled from The Enquirer newspaper) about the arrest of a Ghanaian in Malaysia for drug trafficking.

The Mission wishes to confirm that the Ghanaian, Steve Opoku, a native of Jamasi in the Ashanti Region, was indeed arrested by the Malaysian authorities at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport for attempting to smuggle 1700g of Methamphetamine (an illicit narcotic drug) into that country in April 2011.

Even though Mr. Steve Opoku is now on trial and has not yet been convicted, it is worth noting that under Malaysia’s dangerous Drug Act, anyone caught trafficking narcotics into the country faces the mandatory death sentence if convicted.

Currently, there is one (1) Ghanaian who was convicted of drug trafficking in Malaysia in 2003 and is currently on death row (fourteen years after his arrest and conviction).

The Ghana High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, therefore wishes to use this opportunity to once again caution all Ghanaians travelling into Malaysia (and indeed into most countries in South East Asia) that the fight against trafficking of narcotics is taken very very seriously and that the Mission is not in a position to plead for any mitigation of sentences for drug related offences.

Ghanaians are therefore being advised to beware of the operations of drug barons operating within the West Africa sub-region who use innocent and unsuspecting people as couriers for the drug trade. Travellers to Malaysia, Thailand and other South East Asian countries are advised to ensure the safety and sanctity of their luggage for their own safety.

Ghana High Commission Kuala Lumpur Malaysia