….At Kotoka, Three In Custody

The collaborative efforts of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) and Ghana Airports Company Limited to combat the transit of illicit drugs through the Kotoka International Airport have yielded massive results about a fortnight ago, with the arrests of three Nigerians, who attempted ferrying 397 slabs of dried leaves suspected to be “Wee” also known as Indian Hemp from Ghana.

The three are Akinsanmi Akinyele, aged 37, with his younger brother, Omoleyo Akinyele, aged 23, and Muyiden Mustapha, aged 33.

Insiders told The Herald that the massive haul was a result of the installation of a scanning machine at the airdrome by Nick TC Scan, a sister company of Ghana Link Network Services Ltd.

The three suspects are currently in the custody of NACOB, assisting them with investigations. The slabs, which were concealed in 12 sacks loaded with a brand of white Chase Deer Chinese under wears and T-shirts, were on their way to Nigeria.

The Herald’s information is that two freight forwarders, Eric Anderson and Philip Adade, who brought the goods for export, were initially arrested following the detection of the banned substance, during a routine screening of goods at the Aviance Cargo Village.

Subsequently, the two led officials of NACOB to effect the arrest of Omeleyo, who had sent the Wee to the freight forwarders for export.

Omoleyo disclosed that the goods were given to him by Akinsanmi, and he consequently led NACOB officials to arrest him.

Akinsanmi then led NACOB officials to arrest Mustapha whom he claimed gave him the goods.

The three suspects were taken to the Cargo Village where they identified the goods as theirs, but denied ownership of the 397 compressed dried Indian hemp leaves. They were, however, taken into custody to help in investigations.

The scanning machine, owned by Ghana Link Network Services Limited, became operational in October, last year, is said to be chalking some major feats in the prevention and arrest of illegal substances or narcotic drugs being smuggled out of the country.

Meanwhile, the freight forwarders have since been granted bail.