The number of arrests of drug couriers at the Kotoka International Airport continues to rise as the Custom, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) intensifies efforts to track down those who use the airport as transit point.
CEPS officials this week arrested two more drug couriers at the airport for attempting to smuggle into the country substances suspected to be cocaine and heroine. Two traders, Augustine Asare and Quincy Boakye have been handed over to the Narcotic Control Board for further investigations. The arrest of the two suspects is the fourth in two weeks and the ninth this year.
Asare, who arrived on Ethiopia Airlines from Thailand, was suspected and picked for further questioning and physical examination of his luggage. In the process CEPS detected a stain of glue at the bottom of his bag, which indicated that there was a false compartment.
When it was opened three brown cello-taped envelopes containing substances suspected to be heroine weighing 1,300 grams were found hidden at the base of the bag. Asare told newsmen that he became stranded in Bangkok and, therefore, agreed to carry the substance for a fee of 1,000 dollars.
Boakye arrived with the South African Airlines from Thailand and was also picked up by CEPS officials when they detected that his airline ticket had a different name from the passport he presented at the immigration desk.
Upon interrogation and search, 62 oval shaped pellets wrapped on black polythene suspected to be narcotic drugs weighing 800 grams were found in a new ladies bag in his suitcase. Preliminary test conducted on the substance indicated that it was a mixture of cocaine and heroine.
