Trader jailed 15 years over drugs

A trader who concealed methamphetamine, a narcotic drug, inside two picture frames without lawful authority has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the High Court in Accra.

Daniel Agbeko, also known as Abraham Fosu, was found guilty of attempting to export the drug-laden picture frames from Ghana to Australia.

The frames had been sent to him by his Nigerian partner, John Emeka, who remains at large and was also charged alongside Agbeko.

Agbeko faced charges of criminal conspiracy, importing narcotic drugs without a license, and attempting to export narcotics.

Despite pleading not guilty, the court, presided over by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, convicted him after the trial and sentenced him to 15 years for each charge.

The sentences will run concurrently.

In addition to the prison term, Agbeko was ned GHC120,000, with a three-year sentence to be
served if he failed to pay the ne.

The judge noted that Agbeko’s status as a first-time offender and his remorse during the trial were factors considered in determining his sentence.

Mr. Frederick Adu-Gyam, an Assistant State Attorney (ASA), informed the trial judge that the accused, Daniel Agbeko, had shown no remorse during the trial and consistently denied the charges, despite undergoing a full trial process.

The prosecution’s case was supported by witnesses from the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and other related agencies.

According to the prosecution, on June 20, 2022, at around 1500 hours, NACOC personnel at the Aviance Cargo Section of Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra intercepted a package bound for Sydney, Australia.

The package, which was part of a routine examination of outbound Aramex mail, contained two picture frames stuffed with a whitish crystalline substance suspected to be a narcotic drug.

The prosecution stated that on the same day, investigators contacted Aramex officials to assist in tracking the sender.

On June 23, 2022, a collaborative effort between NACOC officers and Aramex officials led to Agbeko, who had used the name Abraham Fosu, being lured to the Aramex office.

Upon identification, Agbeko was arrested.

During the investigation, Agbeko admitted to owning the package and its contents.
In his caution statement, he revealed that he had received the picture frames from his Nigerian partner, John Emeka.

Agbeko also disclosed that his real name was Daniel Agbeko and that he had used the name “Abraham Fosu” and a corresponding passport to conceal his identity.

Upon inspection of Agbeko’s passport, it was confirmed that it matched the name Abraham Fosu.