MV Benjamin cocaine destroyed

Accra, June 13, GNA - The cocaine found on board MV Benjamin was on Wednesday destroyed soon after it was tendered in evidence.

This was after the investigating officer, Detective Inspector Charles Adaba under a heavy security escort brought it to court to be tendered before an Accra Fast Track High Court trying the crew and owner of the ship.

Led in evidence by Mrs. Yvonne Atakora-Obuobisa, a Senior State Attorney, Detective Adaba told the court that when he took over the investigations, the cocaine was in the possession of Narcotic Control Board (NCB). He said it was supposed to contain 30 slabs, but five slabs were missing, leaving 25 slabs in their possession. He then tendered it in evidence.

Mrs Atakora-Obuobisa applied to the court to order the immediate destruction of the 25 slabs of cocaine.

Defence counsel obliged to the application after an official of the Ghana Standards Board conducted a field test in open court and it proved to be cocaine.

The court therefore ordered the immediate destruction of the substances behind the Independence Square under the supervision of the presiding Judge, Mr Anin Yeboah, court officials, Police, officials of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ghana Standards Board. The crew are Pak Bok Sil, a 46 year-old Korean Engineer, Isaac Arhin, a 49 year-old sailor, Philip Kobina Bruce Arhin, a 47 year-old mechanic, Cui Xing Li, a 44 year-old Chinese sailor, and Luo Yin Xing, a 49 year-old sailor.

Isaac Arhin, Philip Arhin, Cui and Luo are charged for possessing narcotic drugs without authority and engaging in prohibited business. Joseph Kojo Dawson, owner of the vessel and Managing Director of Dashment Company Limited, who is being held for using his property for narcotic offence and Pak are facing the charge of engaging in prohibited business relating to narcotics.

They have pleaded not guilty and are in Police custody. Pak is also said to have repaired the MV Benjamin vessel to facilitate the transportation of the 77 parcels of cocaine from Takoradi to Tema.

Isaac, Philip, Cui and Luo who were on board the MV Benjamin vessel on April 26, 2006, allegedly had in their possession one slab containing 30 parcels each weighing about one kilogram.

Under cross-examination by Mr D. K. Ameley, counsel for Dawson, Detective Adaba told the court that Arhin was employed by Dashment Company Limited, a fishing firm, and signed the in and outward movement of the vessel.

Mr Ameley asked how the vessel was acquired and said it was the duty of the charterer to supply the vessel with the crew and other things.

Detective Adaba said the charter agreement had the signatures of Dawson, Mr Byea and Sheriff Asem Dakey, a.k.a. the limping man, now at large. The case was adjourned to June 22. 13 June 07