Accra, May 9, GNA - An official of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) on Tuesday told an Accra Fast Track High Court that Kwabena Amaning, aka Tagor, and Alhaji Issah Abass, who are being held for drug-related offences had not been given any permit to import drugs by the Board. According to Reverend Jonathan Yaw Martey, Head of Quality Control Laboratory, the board does not offer permit to individuals to import drugs.

However, the board, established in 1992 to register drugs, among other things offer permits to corporate bodies to import drugs for scientific and medical purposes.

Rev. Martey made this known when he appeared before the court to testify in the case of Tagor and Abass.

Abass, 53, and Kwabena Amaning, alias Tagor alleged self-confessed drug barons are jointly charged for conspiracy.

Tagor has additionally been charged for carrying out prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs, buying and supplying of narcotic drugs, while Abass is also being held for carrying out prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs and supplying narcotic drugs. They have pleaded not guilty.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice J. Dotse has remanded them in prison custody. Led by Ms Gertrude Ai kins, Chief State Attorney, Rev Martey explained that permits were offered in relation to International Narcotic Board laws adding that Ghana within a two-year period was offered 0.92 grammes of cocaine for scientific purposes.

He told the court that in 2005, he read about the MV Benjamin vessel, which was alleged to have carried drugs.

According to him the board did not offer any permit to the importers of the said drugs.

Rev Martey further tendered an international document on the procedures of importing drugs into the country. Answering questions under cross-examination by Mr Ellis Owusu Fordjour, counsel for Amaning, Rev. Martey said he did not know the accused persons.

He told the court that, he had worked on substances, especially cocaine when he worked with the Ghana Standard Board for 14 years. Rev. Martey said: "cocaine appeared in crystal whitish powdery substances depending on its purity."

He said he had not read in the media about some substances (cocaine) turning into cassava dough "kokonte."

Rev. Martey said he did not give statement to the Police in the connection with the matter.

The case of the Prosecution is that the accused are self-confessed drug barons, who since 2004 have been actively engaged in activities of promoting and establishing various enterprises relating to narcotic drugs. Hearing continues on May 15. 9 May 07