By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Four alleged cocaine pushers currently standing trial for their involvement in the recent cocaine bust at the Swissport Terminal of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) have each been granted bail to the tune of GHC13 million, with four sureties to meet.
The suspects, Gariba Soli, an artefact dealer at the Arts Centre, and three freight forwarders: Josiah Baidoo, Emmanuel Mintah, and Kwabena Ampfo Anti, have been charged with attempting to export a narcotic substance without a license, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of a narcotic substance without a license.
The four were arrested for allegedly attempting to export 73 slabs of cocaine without a license. As part of their bail conditions, the accused persons have been directed to report to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) twice every week.
Additionally, they have been placed on a no-fly list, and their biometric data has been submitted to the Passport Office to prevent them from acquiring new travel documents.
According to facts presented in court, NACOC officers conducting a routine inspection at the Swissport Terminal discovered three wooden boxes labelled as containing artefacts.
However, a detailed examination revealed that the boxes contained 73 slabs of powdered substances, which later tested positive for cocaine.
During interrogation, the first accused, Gariba Soli, claimed he was contracted by an individual identified only as Kevin to ship artefacts to the Netherlands.
He maintained that the boxes he delivered to Swissport on April 14 contained only artefacts, and that he was only informed on April 23 to appear for an inspection, at which point the items were discovered to contain cocaine.
