The Kwabenya Circuit Court in Ghana has denied bail to six persons standing trial for their alleged connection to a 3.9-tonne cocaine shipment seized in France. The accused individuals are Francis Narh Amanor, owner of the logistics company that handled the export of the consignment; Frank Adu Boahen, the alleged owner of the goods; Togbe Agbeti; Andrews Tetteh Amponsah; Daniel Laryea; and Helena Akua Denkyi, all linked to the Ghana Revenue Authority's Customs Division.
The six accused have been charged with conspiracy to export narcotic drugs and unlawful exportation of narcotic drugs. Presiding judge Prince Osei-Wusu indicated that the charge sheet against the accused persons was serious, and the court was concerned they may not show up for the trial. The judge added that the prosecution had proven the grounds for the bail to be refused.
Lawyers for the accused persons had argued that some of the accused required special medical care, citing high blood pressure and sickle cell disease. They requested that the court release them so they could seek medical assistance from a private health facility rather than the BNI clinic. The judge ordered the prosecution to ensure that the ailing accused persons be taken to a health facility when necessary.
According to the prosecution's facts, Frank Adu-Boahen shared his login credentials with other accused persons and delegated his duty to scan the containers. Despite detecting anomalies, the containers were allegedly given the greenlight without further examination. The prosecution also alleges that Adu-Boahen admitted to owning the four 40-foot containers and loading them at a warehouse in Tema.
Investigations disclosed that Francis Narh Amanor, Managing Director of Fresna Commodities Ltd, was arrested on September 15. The ICUMS system identified Fresna Commodities Ltd as the exporter, with Amanor's phone number listed as the exporter's contact. The same number was reportedly associated with F&F Logistics, identified as the freight forwarder in the export of the containers.
The case has been adjourned to October 20 for continuation. The prosecution alleges that the first and second accused exported the four containers from Tema Port containing approximately 3.9 tonnes of suspected narcotic substances. The accused persons will remain in custody pending the trial.
Key points
- The court denied bail due to serious charges and concerns about the accused persons' potential absence from trial.
- The accused individuals are linked to the Ghana Revenue Authority's Customs Division and face charges of conspiracy to export narcotic drugs and unlawful exportation of narcotic drugs.
- The case has been adjourned to October 20 for continuation, with the accused persons to remain in custody pending the trial.
