Accra, Dec. 14, GNA - A Togolese driver was on Thursday sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Greater Accra Regional Tribunal for dealing in cocaine.

Djamiou El-Hadji Souley earlier pleaded not guilty although he expelled 50 pellets of substances suspected to be cocaine, but he changed his plea during the trial.

The tribunal convicted him accordingly and further ordered his deportation after serving his sentence, which takes effect from August 29, 2005.

The case of prosecution was that, on that day, Souley arrived at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to board flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

The prosecution said personnel from the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) on duty at KIA suspected him of carrying narcotic drugs in his stomach.

He was escorted to the 37 Military Hospital where an ex-ray revealed that Souley had foreign materials in his stomach. Souley expelled 50 pellets of whitish substances suspected to be cocaine. He admitted the offence and said it was one Monto Aberga who gave him the drug at Abeka Lapaz to be delivered to someone in Frankfurt, Germany. Souley, however, failed to assist the police to arrest the said Monto Aberga. 14 Dec. 06