An Accra Circuit Court has placed three individuals in custody regarding the alleged concealment of 869 slabs of suspected cocaine hidden within bags of gari and cassava powder in Tema.
The individuals charged are Gilano Jorgino Holwin, a Dutch security guard; Alhaji Iddrisu Haruna, a 56-year-old transporter; and John Mensah Sarbah, a 41-year-old clearing agent.
The court, under the direction of Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah, ordered their remand into lawful custody after their lawyers’ requests for bail were denied.
They have entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit unlawful control of narcotic drugs, unlawful control of narcotic drugs, and engaging in prohibited business related to narcotic drugs.
The prosecution, represented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Haligah, opposed the bail requests, stating that investigations are ongoing and urged the court to take the charges against the accused into account.
ASP Haligah informed the court that Holwin resides in Cantonments, while Haruna and Sarbah live in North Legon and Nungua, respectively.
The prosecutor noted that the complainants, who are police officers, are assigned to the Tema Regional Criminal Investigations Department.
The prosecution detailed that on August 5, 2026, at approximately 1930 hours, the complainants, acting on intelligence, went to the Golden Suvineur warehouse at the Main Harbour in Tema, where they apprehended the accused individuals for their alleged involvement in narcotic drug activities.
The court was informed that the accused were discovered loading white sacks of gari and cassava powder from the warehouse at the Main Harbour into a DAF truck with the registration number WR 1118-10.
Upon inspection, the prosecution stated that 869 slabs of substances believed to be narcotics were uncovered, concealed within the bags of gari and cassava powder.
During questioning, the prosecution claimed that Holwin acknowledged ownership and stated that Haruna and Sarbah were assisting him in exporting the drugs to London, UK.
The prosecution stated that the exhibits had been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis and the preparation of a report.
The prosecutor notified the court that investigations were in progress.
