The Kwabenya Circuit Court has refused bail for six persons standing trial over their alleged involvement in the export of four containers containing about 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine seized in France.
The accused are Francis Narh Amanor, Managing Director of Fresna Commodities Ltd; Frank Adu Boahen, alleged owner of the consignment; Togbe Agbeti; Andrews Tetteh Amponsah; Daniel Laryea; and Helena Akua Denkyi, who are linked to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division.
They have been charged with conspiracy to export narcotic drugs and unlawful exportation of narcotic drugs.
Presiding Judge Prince Osei-Wusu said the charges were serious and expressed concern that the accused persons might fail to appear for trial if granted bail.
He ruled that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds to warrant refusing the bail applications.
Court directs medical care
The defence lawyers had urged the court to grant bail partly on medical grounds.
They argued that Francis Narh Amanor required specialised medical attention due to high blood pressure, while Helena Akua Denkyi, the sixth accused, is a sickle cell patient.
The lawyers asked the court to allow the accused persons to seek treatment at private health facilities instead of the BNI clinic.
The judge, however, ordered the prosecution to ensure that any accused person who requires medical attention is taken to an appropriate health facility when necessary.
The case has been adjourned to October 20 for continuation.
Prosecution’s case
According to the prosecution, investigations into the shipment established links between the accused persons and the four containers exported from Tema Port.
The prosecution alleges that Frank Adu Boahen shared his login credentials with other accused persons and delegated his responsibility for scanning the containers.
Although anomalies were allegedly detected during the scanning process, the prosecution said the containers were cleared without further examination before their release.
The prosecution further alleged that Adu Boahen was arrested at a hideout at Community 19, Tema, on September 16.
During interrogation, he allegedly admitted owning the four 40-foot containers and said they were loaded at a warehouse at Community 12, Tema.
The prosecution said Adu Boahen, together with Amanor, also told investigators that they had shipped the containers.
Amanor was arrested on September 15, according to the prosecution.
Investigations, the prosecution said, identified Fresna Commodities Ltd as the exporter on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), with Amanor’s phone number listed as the exporter’s contact.
The same number was allegedly linked to F&F Logistics, which was identified as the freight forwarder involved in the shipment.
The prosecution alleges that Amanor and Adu Boahen exported the four containers from Tema Port, containing approximately 3.9 tonnes of suspected narcotic substances.
