Accra, May 29, GNA - Colonel Isaac Akuoku, Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) has been asked to proceed on leave while a three-member team investigates the loss of five kilograms cocaine, which was part of a 30 kg substance seized from a Ghanaian registered fishing trawler, MV Benjamin, on May three this year.

A statement signed by Information and National Orientation Minister, Kwamena Bartels on Monday said the head of Operations of the NCB, Mr. Ben Ndego, has also been asked to take his leave pending the outcome of the investigations expected within a week.

The statement said the President has approved the secondment of Assistant Commissioner of Police Daniel Laryea Odai, currently the Tema Regional Police Commander, as acting Executive Secretary of the NCB. Mr. Ben Botwe, Deputy Chief Executive of the Food and Drugs Board and Mr. Mark Ewuntomah of the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Unit would be his deputies.

The statement named members of the investigative team tasked by the Minster of the Interior as Mr. J.K. Mensah of the National Security Secretariat, Mr. Patrick Ampewuah of the Criminal Investigations Division and Alhaji Adam Malik of the Bureau of National Investigations. "The terms for reference for the team is to investigate the circumstance leading to the loss of the five kg of cocaine and make recommendations for any appropriate punitive measures against anyone found to have connived with the culprits," said the statement. Meanwhile, the crew of the fishing trawler: three Ghanaians and two Chinese are in custody.

The NCB, which has kept the cocaine since the seizure, arrested the suspects in collaboration with the Ghana Navy and Air Force.