The Kwabenya Circuit Court has set September 29 for ruling on bail applications for six persons standing trial for their connection with the seizure of 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France.
Earlier, counsel for the accused persons prayed the court for bail having been denied by the court at the last adjourned date.
Francis Narh Amanor, owner of the logistics company that handled the export of the consignment in which the cocaine was allegedly concealed; Frank Adu Boahen, the alleged owner of the goods; Togbe Agbeti; Andrews Tetteh Amponsah; Daniel Laryea; and Helena Akua Dekyi, all of whom are linked to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division have been charged with conspiracy to export narcotic drugs and unlawful exportation of narcotic drugs.
In court on Thursday, September 24, the six accused persons, represented by separate legal teams, prayed the court to grant them bail with the counsel arguing that their clients have been cooperative with the investigators and the court.
They also noted that the accused persons had demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt their willingness to stand trial.
After listening to the arguments, the presiding judge adjourned proceedings to Tuesday, September 29, for ruling on the bail application.
Per the prosecution’s facts of the case, Frank Adu-Boahen shared his login credentials to other accused persons and relegated his duty to scan the containers.
Despite detecting anomalies after the scan, the prosecution added that the containers were allegedly given the greenlight without being subjected to further examination before being released.
The prosecution also alleges that after arresting Adu-Boaten at his hideout at Community 19, Tema, on September 16, he admitted during interrogation to owning the four 40-foot containers and loading them at a warehouse at Community 12, Tema.
Together with the first accused, Francis Narh Amanor, Frank also told investigators that they shipped the containers.
According to the facts of the case, prosecution further alleged that Francis Narh Amanor, the Managing Director of Fresna Commodities Ltd, was arrested on September 15.
Investigations further disclosed that the ICUMS system identified Fresna Commodities Ltd as the exporter, with first accused’s phone number listed as the exporter’s contact.
The prosecution also indicated that the same number was reportedly associated with F&F Logistics, identified as the freight forwarder in the export of the containers.
The prosecution alleges that the first and second accused exported the four containers from Tema Port containing approximately 3.9 tonnes of suspected narcotic substances.
By Laud Adu-Asare
