Accra, Dec. 13, GNA - Trial of the five-member crew of MV Benjamin/MV Adede vessel, which was allegedly used in transporting the 77 parcels of cocaine to Tema, began at an Accra Fast Track High Court on Tuesday.

The crew are Pak Bok Sil, a 46 year-old Korean Engineer; Isaac Arhin, a 49-year-old sailor; Philip Kobina Bruce Arhin, a 47 year-old-mechanic; Cui Xing Li, a 44 year old Chinese sailor, and Luo Yin Xing, a 49-year-old sailor.

Isaac Arhin, Philip Arhin, Cui and Luo are charged for possessing narcotic drugs without authority and engaging in prohibited business. Jospeh Kojo Dawson, the owner of the vessel, who is being held for using his property for narcotic offence and Pak is facing the charge of engaging in prohibited business relating to narcotics.

They pleaded not guilty and are in Police in custody. Detective Corporal Edward Asante, an officer attached to the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), told the Court that the parcel of cocaine was found in the hatch of the MV Benjamin vessel. Detective Corporal Asante admitted that it was Mr Benjamin Ndego and other security personnel that found the parcel.

Led in evidence by Mr Agyeman Duodu, Principal State Attorney, Detective Corporal Asante said he was among the team of Policemen, who searched the MV Benjamin vessel on April 27, 2006.

The first Prosecution Witness said the drugs was concealed in a tarpaulin and was locked.

According to him when the drugs were found, a field test was conducted and later the substance was sent to the office of the National Security at the Harbour.

The Witness said Isaac, Bruce, Cui and Luo were on board the vessel but Dawson and Pak were arrested later.

Detective Asante said during interrogation, Bruce told him that he and other crew members on March 9, 2006 took delivery of the 77 parcels of goods suspected to be cocaine at Takoradi.

According to him the drugs were brought to Tema and on April 26, this year, at about 0200 hours a canoe took delivery of the 76 parcels of cocaine.

Detective Corporal said Dawson also admitted that he was the managing director of Dashment Company and owner of the vessel but had rented it out.

The witness said Dawson disclosed that he rented it out to Asem Dake alias Sheriff.

In the case of Pak, Detective Corporal said Pak admitted that he was a care taker of the vessel and mechanic who often repaired the MV Benjamin Vessel.

In cross examination by Mr D.K Ameley, Counsel for Dawson, Detective Corporal Asante admitted that the MV Benjamin had a Captain, second in command and some officers including the Chief Engineer. He said security personnel could not arrest them because they did not locate them.

Detective Corporal Asante mentioned that investigations disclosed that the Captain and the Chief Engineer joined the canoe, which took delivery of the drugs.

He admitted that he did not take a look at the Charter agreement on the MV Benjamin vessel and would not be able to tell the Court the number of days the vessel docked at Takoradi.

Detective Corporal Asante further admitted that the team of Policemen went to the house of Asem Dake to arrest him.

He admitted that the vessel was bought from Mr Bae, a Korean national who had also assigned Pak as the caretaker. Detective Corporal Asante denied that Pak did not know the content of the vessel before repairing it.

He said he was not aware that some finger prints were taken when the substance was found.

The charge sheet says on February 6, 2006 Dawson, who is also a businessman, indirectly without lawful authority and with the intention of facilitating an enterprise relating to narcotic drugs, did allow one Asem Dake a.k.a. Sheriff to use his vessel (MV Benjamin/MV Adede) to import 77 parcels each containing 30 kilograms of cocaine into the country without a licence issued by the Minister of Health. Pak is also said to have repaired the MV Benjamin vessel to facilitate the transportation of the 77 parcels of cocaine from Takoradi to Tema.

Isaac, Philip, Cui and Luo on April 27, 2006, who were on board the MV Benjamin vessel, allegedly had in their possession one parcel containing 30 slabs of cocaine each weighing about one kilogram. The case was adjourned to December 13.

Fire destroys property at Sekyere-Krobo

Sekyere-Krobo (W/R) Dec. 13, -GNA-Personal belongings and cash worth more than 300,000,000 million cedis were destroyed when fire engulfed a house at Sekyere-Krobo in the Mpohor Wassa East district on Tuesday. A television set, furniture, radio, clothing, cooking utensils, household electrical appliances, packets of roofing sheets and six million cedis cash belonging to Maame Afua Minsin were among items destroyed.

An eyewitness told the Ghana News Agency that the fire started from a tenant's room during the early hours and alarm was raised for help but the fire became so intense that no one ventured to go near. Madam Mary Annan, the landlady has appealed to the National Disaster Management Organization, Non-governmental Organizations, Churches and benevolent institutions to go the aid of victims, particularly Maame Minsin, a nursing mother who lost all her property and money. Police are investigating the cause of the fire. 13 Dec. 06