General News of Friday, 22 December 2006

Source: Times

From "Soup Cocaine" to "YoghurtCoaine"

Cocaine Turns Up In Yoghurt Shipment THREE people have been arrested by the police for allegedly importing 15 parcels of substances suspected to be cocoaine, concealed in a shipment of yoghurt.

They are Michael Ayache, Managing Director of Market Direct Limited, Mohammed Salami, a Greek national of Lebanese origin and Isaac Quansah, a Ghanaian, both clearing agents with Freight Links.

Briefing the media in Accra yesterday, acting Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwasi Ofori, said the police had information that a consignment of narcotic substance was on its way on the high seas to the Tema Harbour.

The Police therefore monitored the container aboard Maersk Sealine, a vessel, until it docked, and then they alerted the Customs Excise and Preventive Service.

A search of the container revealed the substances together with 3,980 boxes of yogurello yoghurt imported from Peru, he said.

It is believed each of the parcels weighing one kilograme has a street value of 40,000 euro.

DSP Ofori urged the public to continue to cooperate with the police in their determined effort to prevent people from using the country as a transit or destination point for trafficking of narcotic drugs.