Four individuals on trial for the recent cocaine bust at the Swissport terminal of Kotoka International Airport have each been granted bail set at GHC 13 million, accompanied by four sureties. As part of their bail conditions, the accused are required to report to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) twice a week. Additionally, they have been placed on a no-fly list, and their personal information has been submitted to the Passport Office to prevent them from obtaining new travel documents.
The suspects, Gariba Soli, an artefact dealer at the Arts Centre, and three freight forwarders: Josiah Baidoo, Emmanuel Mintah, and Kwabena Ampfo Anti, were arrested for allegedly attempting to export 73 slabs of cocaine without a license. They have been charged with attempting to export a narcotic substance without a license, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of a narcotic substance without a license.
During a routine inspection at the Swissport terminal, NACOC officers discovered three wooden boxes labelled as containing artefacts. However, a thorough examination revealed that the boxes actually held 73 slabs of powdered substances that later tested positive for cocaine. When interrogated, the first accused, Gariba Soli, claimed he had been contracted by an individual only identified as Kevin to ship the artefacts to the Netherlands.
He maintained that the boxes he delivered to Swissport on April 14 contained only artefacts, and that he was only informed on April 23 to appear for an inspection, at which point the items were discovered to be cocaine.
By: Hanson Agyemang
