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Four
in court in connection with Ataabadze Junction coke haul
Accra, July 2, Ghanadot/GNA - Four persons who were arrested
in connection 380 slabs of cocaine seized at Ataabadze
Junction near Cape Coast last Sunday appeared before an
Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday.
Samuel Agoe Mills Robertson, a 49-year old auto mechanic,
Derrick Armah Kwarteng, a 49-year old contractor, David
Ayemera, alias Chuku Owura, a 30-year old herbalist and
Charles Lartey, 33, are being held for conspiracy to commit
crime and possessing narcotic drug without lawful authority.
The court did not take their pleas and remanded them into
police custody to reappear on July 17. Two other suspects,
Mike Eben, alias Osu and one Javi, a South-American, who is
of a Colombian nationality are at large.
Mr Agyei Lartey, leading counsel, prayed the court to admit
Charles Lartey to bail since the facts did not link him to
the case.
According to him, Lartey was called on phone by Kwarteng to
bring 6,000 dollars to him at Cape coast and if he Lartey
knew of the matter he would not have got involved “in that
mess,” by proceeding to the Police Station in Cape Coast.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr. George Abavelim,
the prosecutor, however, prayed the court not to take the
plea of the accused persons.
ASP Abavelim further opposed the bail application saying
investigations were ongoing.
The court, resided over Mr. Justice Frank Manu, a High Court
Judge, declined to grant bail, declaring that, it was the
first time that accused persons were arraigned and it would
be too earlier to grant Lartey bail.
The facts as read by ASP Abavelim are that on June 28,
Kwarteng contracted Robertson to cart cocaine from
Asankragua in the Western Region to Accra for a fee of
40,000 dollars and he agreed.
The prosecution said Robertson therefore recruited Agyemfra
and Mike Eben as escort for the drug.
On that same day, Robertson used his Toyota Saloon car with
registration number GW 31 Z and conveyed Agyemfra and Eben
to Asankraguaa where they met Kwarteng at a hotel.
Kwarteng also handed over a four-wheel drive vehicle with
registration number GR 1204 y loaded with 19 travelling bags
each containing 20 slabs totalling 380 slabs of suspected
cocaine to Robertson and his escorts.
Robertson drove the consignment with Agyemfra and Eben, who
were on board as security to Takoradi where they stayed
overnight.
The prosecution said on Sunday, the Cape Coast Highway
Police Patrol team from the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit
intercepted the vehicle, which had on board Robertson,
Kwarteng and Agyemfra.
However, Agyemfra and Eben escaped into the bush but the
police managed to arrest Robertson.
When a search was conducted 19 travelling bags containing 20
slabs of whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine
were found.
The prosecution said during police interrogation Robertson
offered the Police 6,000 dollars in order to free him.
Robertson therefore called Lartey who was in Accra to bring
the amount but as soon as Lartey arrived the Police
apprehended him.
Agyemfra and Kwarteng were spotted in a saloon car near the
Police station and they were also arrested.
Robertson further told the Police that the drug belonged to
Kwarteng but he had denied.
The prosecution said the suspected drugs were being examined
by the Ghana Standard Board and were awaiting the board’s
final report.
GNA
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