General News of Sunday, 13 August 2006

Source: GNA

Police arrests another suspected drug baron

Accra, Aug. 13, GNA - Police have arrested another suspected drug baron, Prince Tibu-Darko, 49, owner of the plush Koreana hotel who also owns Kamoney Forex Bureau, all in Tema, in the Greater Accra Region.

Chief Superintendent Salifu Amadu, In-Charge of Operations at the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police Service told the Ghana News Agency that following intelligence report that he was a drug baron, who has been in the business for sometime, an arrest was effected He said Prince owns a fleet of luxurious cars such as a Limousine, Lexus and Infinity vehicles and fishing boats.

Incidentally although he admitted being the owner of all the vehicles they are still registered in the names of previous owners. Mr Amadu said at the moment, two of his staff, James Maxwell Rockson and a Korean, Kim Jeong have been arrested and are facing trial in Spain on drug related charges.

He said about a year ago, one of the vessels was arrested in Spain but nothing criminal was found on the vessel. He said Prince was believed to have bought these vehicles and the hotel, previously owned by some Korean nationals within three years, raising some suspicions.

Mr Amadu said Prince has denied ever dealing in drugs upon his arrest at his residence at Community Three in Tema.

He said the suspect says he has worked with Koreans as a cook in a vessel for 28 years before starting his own business.

He said Prince has been charged with doing a prohibited business relating to narcotics contrary to section Three, sub section two of the Narcotics Drugs Enforcement Law 1990, PNDC law 236. He was arraigned at Circuit in Accra where the facts of the case were not presented but remanded to re-appear on August 15, 2006.