Accra Circuit Court remands three in suspected cocaine trafficking case

An Accra Circuit Court has remanded three men accused of dealing in suspected cocaine, following what prosecutors describe as a carefully monitored police operation in the capital.

The accused persons; Bright Ayivor, 37, a trader; Ijiuba Ifeanyi Anicetu, 51, a technician; and Kwabena Botwe, 58, a businessman; are facing charges of conspiracy, possession, and trafficking of narcotic substances without lawful authority.

Presenting the case before the court, presided over by Madam Emanuella Sarah Asmah, Police Inspector Frank Morgan Dorvi said the arrests followed intelligence gathered on suspected drug trafficking activities within Accra.

The court did not take the pleas of the accused persons, as the substances retrieved have been sent to the Police Forensic Laboratory for analysis.

The three have been remanded into custody and are expected to reappear in court on April 29, 2026.

According to the prosecution, another suspect identified as Togbe Kwasi Atsyovi is currently on the run and believed to be a key figure in the alleged operation.

Inspector Dorvi told the court that on April 10, 2026, intelligence received by the Office of the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector-General of Police indicated a planned narcotics transaction within the Accra metropolis.

Acting on the tip-off, plainclothes officers mounted surveillance at Dzorwulu, although the suspects did not initially appear.

Further intelligence later suggested that the accused persons were arranging to deliver compressed substances suspected to be cocaine to a buyer at the same location.

Ifeanyi was subsequently arrested with 12 compressed slabs of the suspected narcotics.

During interrogation, he allegedly stated that he had been sent by an individual based in Belgium to meet Ayivor and complete the delivery to a buyer.

The consignment was valued at US$193,600, the court heard.

Follow-up operations led to the arrest of Ayivor, who was allegedly found with additional quantities of the suspected drugs.

Botwe, believed to be the supplier, was also arrested while allegedly waiting to receive payment from the transaction.

According to a report on citinewsroom.com, A search at Botwe’s residence reportedly uncovered GH¢400,000, which police suspect to be proceeds from illicit trade.

Prosecutors further indicated that preliminary investigations suggest the accused persons may have been involved in narcotics trafficking for some time, with the fugitive Atsyovi believed to be the main supplier.

Police say efforts are ongoing to track down the suspect at large as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, the court dismissed a bail application filed by defence counsel, after the prosecution argued that the suspects should remain in custody to allow investigations to be completed.

NA/VPO

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