Four in court in connection with Ataabadze Junction coke haul

Accra, July 2, GNA - Four persons who were arrested in connection 380 slabs of cocaine seized at Ataabadze Junction near Cape Coast last Sunday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday. Samuel Agoe Mills Robertson, a 49-year old auto mechanic, Derrick Armah Kwarteng, a 49-year old contractor, David Ayemera, alias Chuku Owura, a 30-year old herbalist and Charles Lartey, 33, are being held for conspiracy to commit crime and possessing narcotic drug without lawful authority.

The court did not take their pleas and remanded them into police custody to reappear on July 17. Two other suspects, Mike Eben, alias Osu and one Javi, a South-American, who is of a Colombian nationality are at large.

Mr Agyei Lartey, leading counsel, prayed the court to admit Charles Lartey to bail since the facts did not link him to the case. According to him, Lartey was called on phone by Kwarteng to bring 6,000 dollars to him at Cape coast and if he Lartey knew of the matter he would not have got involved "in that mess," by proceeding to the Police Station in Cape Coast.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr. George Abavelim, the prosecutor, however, prayed the court not to take the plea of the accused persons.

ASP Abavelim further opposed the bail application saying investigations were ongoing.

The court, resided over Mr. Justice Frank Manu, a High Court Judge, declined to grant bail, declaring that, it was the first time that accused persons were arraigned and it would be too earlier to grant Lartey bail.

The facts as read by ASP Abavelim are that on June 28, Kwarteng contracted Robertson to cart cocaine from Asankragua in the Western Region to Accra for a fee of 40,000 dollars and he agreed. The prosecution said Robertson therefore recruited Agyemfra and Mike Eben as escort for the drug.

On that same day, Robertson used his Toyota Saloon car with registration number GW 31 Z and conveyed Agyemfra and Eben to Asankraguaa where they met Kwarteng at a hotel.

Kwarteng also handed over a four-wheel drive vehicle with registration number GR 1204 y loaded with 19 travelling bags each containing 20 slabs totalling 380 slabs of suspected cocaine to Robertson and his escorts.

Robertson drove the consignment with Agyemfra and Eben, who were on board as security to Takoradi where they stayed overnight. The prosecution said on Sunday, the Cape Coast Highway Police Patrol team from the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit intercepted the vehicle, which had on board Robertson, Kwarteng and Agyemfra. However, Agyemfra and Eben escaped into the bush but the police managed to arrest Robertson.

When a search was conducted 19 travelling bags containing 20 slabs of whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine were found. The prosecution said during police interrogation Robertson offered the Police 6,000 dollars in order to free him. Robertson therefore called Lartey who was in Accra to bring the amount but as soon as Lartey arrived the Police apprehended him.

Agyemfra and Kwarteng were spotted in a saloon car near the Police station and they were also arrested. Robertson further told the Police that the drug belonged to Kwarteng but he had denied.

The prosecution said the suspected drugs were being examined by the Ghana Standard Board and were awaiting the board's final report. 2 July 08