*How CEPS’ Validation Form Was Morphed

SOURCE: NEW CRUSADING GUIDE

Whilst investigations into the recent arrest of substances suspected to be cocaine at the Tema Port inch towards its precipice level, several questions remain unanswered in the matter.

The most shocking issue bothering curious minds is how Consolidated Shipping Services, the real consignees of the container that was busted at the Port, and also an off-dock terminal operator ‘metamorphosed’ into Formula Plus Africa, and could be cleared by Freight Accord.

The CEPS entry (posted elsewhere in the paper) shows that the consignment belongs to Formula Plus African whilst the Bill of Lading picked from the Shipping Line (Maersk) revealed that the container belonged to Consolidated Shipping Services.

Whether there was an amendment to that effect, how and who did the amendment are the multimillion unanswered questions that have sparked speculations within security circles.

“Normally, the Customs Declaration entries are done in the Long Room of the Service so it is possible the underhand dealing might have gone on at the Long Room. As at now we do not know the CEPS official who did the entry because it rotates,” a usually reliable source told this paper yesterday.

The paper gathered that Consolidated Shipping Services belongs to one Mr. MacDonald Vasnani, who reports say was embroiled in another cocaine saga seven years ago.

On Friday, 26 September, 2003, the Daily Graphic newspaper reported on its front page under the headline, ‘3 GRABBED OVER COCAINE IMPORT.’

The paper indicated that “…three persons have been arrested by the Narcotics Control Board and security agencies at the Tema Port for allegedly importing cocaine into the country.”

The suspects, according to the paper, were Macdonald Chimanda Vasnani, Managing Director of Consolidated Shipping Company and Bermac Supplies Ltd; Joseph Nwabueze and David K. Anim, both businessmen based in Amsterdam and Accra respectively.

They were alleged to have conspired and concealed the cocaine in sacks of rice imported from Guyana in South America to Ghana in two 20-footer containers.

Official statement issued by the Ministry of the Interior said the three were arrested following several months of intelligence work between the Narcotics Control Board, other security agencies and H.M. Customs of the UK.

The Daily Graphic had also reported on Saturday, 21 February, 2004, under the headline, ‘Suspect Discharged For Lack Of Evidence,’ that “An Accra circuit court has discharged Mr Macdonald Chimandas Vasnani, the Managing Director of Consolidated Shipping Company, Accra, who was charged for allegedly trafficking in narcotic drugs.

”His discharge followed the prosecution’s submission that it lacked evidence to continue prosecuting him. Mr Vasnani, who is also the Managing Director of Bermac Shipping Supplies Limited, Accra, was standing trial with Joseph Nwabueze, a self-employed Nigerian and David K. Anim, a Ghanaian shipping agent.”

The paper continued that “the three were alleged to have imported 48 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a 20-foot container in September last year.They all pleaded not guilty to three counts of importation of narcotic drugs without authority, possessing narcotic drugs without authority and abetment of crime.”

It underscored further, “In his ruling, the presiding judge, Mr P. K. Aggrey, a tribunal chairman, sitting as an additional circuit court judge, said the prosecution had conceded the lack of evidence against Mr. Vasnani and was asking for his discharge. He said the court had no objection than to grant the prosecution’s request.

”In the circumstances, the charges against Vasnani were struck out for want of prosecution and is discharged accordingly, the trial judge added.

“The facts of the case were that following information from the Customs Liaison Officer in Lagos to the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) the NACOB, in collaboration with H. M. Customs in the United Kingdom, mounted joint Control Delivery Operations to track down the suspects.

”A 20-foot container with number PONU364517 on board a vessel called Walurundi loaded with sacks of rice arrived on September 15, 2003. An earlier inspection by UK Customs at Felixstowe, the place where the ship had docked, revealed that the 48 kilogrammes of cocaine had been concealed among the sacks of rice.

“In pursuit of the operations, the NACOB mounted surveillance on the vessel and container. Investigations uncovered that the consignee of the sacks of rice was Bermac Supplies Limited.”