Accra, Aug. 24, GNA - The Accra Circuit Court trying five alleged drug barons on Thursday overruled applications for bail for five alleged drug barons.

The court said the bail applications were premature. Counsel for the five accused persons 96 Kwabena Amaning, alias Tagor, Alhaji Abass Issah, Kwabena Acheampong, Kwadwo Ababio and Victor Kisseh, alias Yaw Billa 96 applied for bail for their clients. The Court adjourned ruling on the bail application last Thursday because the judge was attending a seminar for judges on VAT. The accused persons covered their faces with pamphlets or their caps to prevent members of the public, who thronged the court, from seeing their faces.

Tagor, Issah, Acheampong and Ababio were arrested on August 2 soon after testifying before the Justice Georgina Wood Committee investigating two cocaine-related cases, while Billa was arrested later. All five are facing charges of conspiracy, importation of narcotic drugs without licence, engaging in prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs, importing 78 parcels of narcotic drugs and establishing and promoting businesses related to narcotic drugs. Their pleas have not been taken.