Accra, June 19, GNA - An unemployed man from the Western Region, who attempted to export 406.9 grams of cocaine without licence was on Tuesday sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in hard labour by an Accra Regional Tribunal.

Out of the total net weight of 406.9 grams, Albert Acquah managed to swallow 27 pellets with okro soup, while he inserted two in his anus. The sentences on both counts of the offence will run concurrently. Mr Frank Manu, who chaired the tribunal, ordered that the exhibit be destroyed and all other items seized by the Narcotics Control Board should be released to Acquah after his sentence. He pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted exportation of narcotic drug without licence issued by the Minister of Health, contrary to Section 56(a) and 1(1) of the narcotic Drug (Control, Enforcement and Sanctions) Law 1990, PNDC Law236. Acquah also pleaded guilty to possession of a narcotic drug without lawful authority, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Narcotic Drugs (Control, Enforcement and Sanctions) Law 1990, PNDC Law 236. Mr K. Asiama-Sarpong, a Senior State Attorney, told the tribunal that at about 1900 hours on November 26, last year Acquah arrived at the Kotoka International Airport to board a KLM flight to Spain and while going through pre-departure formalities, personnel from the Narcotics Control Board suspected him of having narcotic drug in his stomach, due to his strange movement and demeanour.

He said the officials picked Acquah and sent him to the 37 Military Hospital where he was subjected to an X-ray examination, which indicated that there was a foreign matter in Acquah's stomach. Mr Asiama-Sarpong said during interrogation, the convict stated that he swallowed 27 pellets of cocaine and inserted two in his anus. Acquah stated further that he bought the drug at the cost of 2,000 Euros with his own money from one Jones Kwabena. Explaining how the convict managed to swallow the drug, the Senior State Attorney said the convict swallowed the stuff with the help of okro soup.

He said Acquah was put under observation and within 24 hours, he expelled the 29 oval shaped pellets believed to be cocaine, adding that he failed to assist the police to arrest his supplier. 19 June 07