Parcel of cocaine on board MV Benjamin to be tendered

Accra, May 28, GNA - The parcel of cocaine found on board MV Benjamin, which transported 77 parcels to Ghana, would, on Friday be tendered in evidence.

This was after the Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Charles Adaba on Monday testified in the case before an Accra Fast Track High Court trying the crew and owner of the ship. 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, the 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 on April 27, 2006, who were on board the MV Benjamin vessel, allegedly had in their possession one slab containing 30 parcels each weighing about one kilogram. Led in evidence by Mr William Kpobi, Principal State Attorney, Detective Adaba told the court the Police would need to mobilise more men to escort the parcel to be tendered. One slab, made up of 30 parcels, was left on the ship while 76 parcels disappeared. Narrating to the court how, he conducted investigations into the case, Detective Inspector (DI) Adaba, said in August last year he was attached to the Research Unit of the Ministry of the Interior which was tasked to unravel circumstances surrounding the missing 76 parcels cocaine on board MV Benjamin.

He said reports indicated that the said parcels of cocaine were imported by one Sheriff Asem Dake, aka Limping man, and were offloaded at Kpone Beach, near Tema. In October, last year, the case docket was handed over to him to continue investigations.

DI Adaba, the 13th prosecution witness, said earlier Dawson and Sil had given written statements to the Office of the National Security and Narcotics Control Board, and he tendered them in evidence. DI Adaba said when he first visited Tema where MV Benjamin docked, investigation revealed that the name MV Benjamin was freshly written meaning that the original name had been tampered with. He said enquiries at the Ghana Maritime Authority indicated that registration of vessel was done at Takoradi. MV Benjamin, witness said, was registered as Messers Duke before it was handed over to Dashment Company. According to him a charter agreement between Dawson and Sheriff was also found.

DI Adaba alleged his investigations revealed that Dawson was aware of the voyage that brought in the 77 parcels of cocaine. On November 2005, Dashment Company applied for MV Benjamin to enter Takoradi Port and at 1830 hours on same day it was allowed to berth and some repairs were carried out. According to witness, on March 9, last year, Dashment applied for MV Benjamin to leave Takoradi to allegedly embark on the voyage, which brought in the 77 parcels of cocaine. On the vessel was Kwak Yo Sin, aka Killer, the captain, one Chae Chief Engineer, and the accused persons excluding Dawson. The case was adjourned to June 1.