News
Ghanaian drug syndicate jailed in UK for trafficking
The Isleworth Crown Court in the United Kingdom has jailed a four-member drug syndicate of Ghanaian origin for trafficking 38 kilogrammes of cocaine (38kgs) with street value of over £2.88 Million.
The syndicate is said to have trafficked the drugs from Ghana to the United Kingdom (UK).
The convicts are Eric Kusi Appiah, 51, six years imprisonment, and Mr Albert Kaakyire Gyamfi, 52, nine years imprisonment.
Ms Jennifer Agyemang, 38, and Mr Julius Tetteh Puplampu, 56, an ex-convict, are both serving six years, nine-months imprisonment.
Mr Francis Opoku Amoah, Head, Communications and Media Relations, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), who briefed the Ghana News Agency, said the arrest and prosecution was jointly done by NACOC and the National Crime Agency (NCA) of UK.
He said in January 2021, NACOC initiated an investigation into the activities of a syndicate identified for trafficking cocaine from Ghana to the UK through the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Mr Amoah said investigations led to the arrest of Mr Appiah in the UK on April 30, 2021, at Heathrow Airport for attempting to traffic into UK, 17kgs of cocaine worth £1.3 million, which was hidden in food boxes.
The arrest of Mr Appiah resulted in a joint operation between NACOC and NCA – UK dubbed “Operation Grid,” which was aimed at fishing out other members of the syndicate.
He said during the operation, other members of the syndicate were identified.
Mr Amoah said on May 14, 2021, Mr Gyamfi and Ms Agyeman travelled through KIA to the UK and upon their arrival at Heathrow Airport the next day, they were arrested for attempting to traffic into the UK 15kgs of cocaine worth £1.1 million.
The cocaine was found concealed in the base of the suitcase of Ms Agyemang, and forensic analysis also revealed a high reading of cocaine on the suitcase Mr Gyamfi.
Regarding Mr Puplamp, Mr Amoah said he left Ghana for the UK on August 13, 20211, and was arrested upon arrival at the Heathrow Airport the next day for attempting to traffic into the UK six kg of cocaine worth £480,000.
The narcotic drug was found concealed at the base of his suitcase in a similar fashion to that of Ms Agyemang.
Mr Amoah said Mr Puplampu had a previous conviction in Ghana for a similar offence, where he was jailed 10 years in 2012, following his arrest by NACOC, then NACOB, for trafficking cocaine from Ghana into the UK.
He said the government would continue to collaborate with its international partners to protect the borders and communities from drug syndicates using the country as transit point for illicit drug trade.
Source: skyypowerfm.com
Mahama leads NDC to mourn with Kufuor over wife’s passing
Former President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday, October 4 led a delegation from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to visit...
Former First Lady of Ghana Theresa Kufuor reported dead
The former First Lady of Ghana and wife of Ghana’s former President, John Agyekum Kufour, Mrs Theresa Kufuor has been...
The most powerful tool for change is the right to vote – Mahama
The 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, is rallying Ghanaains who have grown disillusioned with...
PFJ was a mere state resource looting platform – Minority
The Minority has descended heavily on the Akufo-Addo-led government for launching a second phase of the flagship Planting for Food...
ECOWAS is desecrating Ghana
The Director of Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Abraham Amaliba has said the Economy Community of...
Prof Gyampo elected President of UTAG, University of Ghana branch
A Senior Lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana (Legon), Prof Ransford Gyampo have been elected...