Two remanded over cocaine

Accra Jan. 19, GNA - The Greater Accra Regional Tribunal on Friday remanded two persons into custody for expelling 46 pellets each of drugs suspected to be cocaine.

The two: Emmanuel Krofa Asamoah and Aphram Stephen Buashie, a Nigerian, were picked up when they were going through separate departure formalities at the Kotoka International Airport on January 12 and January 15, 2007 to Italy and London, respectively. The Tribunal did not take their pleas and remanded them to reappear on February 2.

The Prosecution said Asamoah reported at KIA to board KLM Flight to Italy.

Whiles going through departure formalities Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) officials suspected him of carrying drugs as a result of his demeanour.

When he was interrogated, he admitted swallowing 46 pellets of cocaine. He was, therefore, escorted to the 37th Military Hospital and put under surveillance for 3 days and he expelled the pellets. He claimed the substances were given to him by a Nigerian who resides at Kumasi Sport Stadium area to be given to another Nigerian for an undisclosed amount.

The Prosecution said the substance was being forwarded to the Ghana Standard Board (GSB) for analytical examination. In the case of Buashie, the Prosecution said he also arrived at KIA to board a British Airways flight to London when NACOB official quizzed him because of his demeanour.

Buashie also admitted swallowing 46 pellets, hence was sent to the 37th Military Hospital where he expelled the pellets under careful observation for three days.

He claimed that the substance was given to him to by a Nigerian to be given to another Nigerian for a fee of 2,000 dollars. The substance is being forwarded to GSB for analytical examination. 19 Jan. 07