Crime & Punishment of Tuesday, 16 September 2014

Source: GNA

Police contact INTERPOL on Castros’ disappearance

The Ghana Police Service is in touch with INTERPOL (International Police Organisation) and circulated wireless messages to neighboring countries over the mysterious disappearance of hip-life artist, Theophilus Tagoe and Janet Bandu in his company.

“We have requested INTERPOL to alert us anytime unknown persons who answer to the descriptions of Castro (Theophilus Tagoe) and Janet are found within their borders,” the police said.

Addressing a news conference on Monday, Director-General of Criminal Investigation Department of Ghana Police Service, Commissioner of Police Proper (COP) Agblor said his outfit also requested INTERPOL to inform the police when unknown dead bodies are found.

He said the police are treating Castro and Janet as missing until they are found dead or alive as the Evidence Decree of 1975, NRCD 323, section 33, stipulates.

The Evidence Decree states that the missing persons cannot be said to be dead until they have “not been heard of for seven years despite diligent effort (whether or not within that period) to find [them]”

COP Agblor said Asamoah Gyan, Ghana’s ace footballer and a friend to Castro and his entourage as well as management of Aqua Safari and Peace Holiday Resort, where the two went missing, are assisting the police in their investigation.

He said the Jet Ski retrieved and handed over to the Marine Engineers for forensic examination with the reports indicating that “the general condition of the jet ski regarding the disappearance of Castro and Janet was very good”.

He also said after their disappearance two bodies of adult males have been discovered at the Sakumono and Anyanui beaches but none of them has been identified to be that of Castro.

The police urged the media and the public to channel all enquires and requests for information regarding the matter to the police instead of individual personalities.

He also called on the persons who have relevant information to offer to contact the police through the public affairs directorate at the police headquarters or the regions.

“Meanwhile the police administration has met operators of various beach resorts along the Ada Basin and advised them to procure buoyancy aides to demarcate safety and danger zones in the water.

“They have also been advised to constantly monitor their tracking devices to jet skies in order to immediately track the movement of clients who might be in any sort of danger for the appropriate response,” he added.