Four Ghanaian nationals arrested and sentenced in UK for illicit drug trade

The Narcotics and Control Commission (NACOC) in collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom (UK) has caused the arrest and prosecution of a drug syndicate of Ghanaian origin.

The statement signed by Francis Opoku Amoah the Head of Communications and Media Relations of Narcotics Control Commission said, the arrest led to a seizure of thirty-eight kilograms of cocaine, been trafficked from Ghana to UK.

According to a release by the Narcotics Control Commission, there was an Operation Grid (joint operation between the NACOC and NCA – UK) after Eric Kusi Appiah was arrested and sentenced to six years imprisonment after he was arrested for trafficking cocaine from Ghana to UK through the Kotoka International Airport.

Albert Kaakyire Gyamfi was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment, Jennifer Agyemang sentenced to 6 years and nine months imprisonment while Julius Tetteh Puplampu was also sentenced to 6 years and 9 months imprisonment.

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The Narcotics Control Commission, through the Minister for the Interior has indicated that, it will continue to collaborate with international bodies and partners to protect the borders and communities from criminal drug syndicates.

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), in collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom (UK) has caused the arrest and prosecution of a drug syndicate of Ghanaian origin involved in the trafficking of cocaine from Ghana to UK.

The arrest led to a seizure of thirty eight kilogrammes of cocaine (38kgs) with a street value of over Two Million Eight Hundred and Eighty Thousand Pound Sterling (E2.88 Milion)

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In January 2021, NACOC initiated an investigation into the activities of a syndicate identified for trafficking cocaine from Ghana to UK through the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). The investigation led to the arrest of Eric Kusi Appiah in UK on 30 April 2021. Eric Kusi Appiah, 51 year old was arrested at Heathrow Airport for attempting to traffic into UK seventeen kilogrammes (17kgs) of cocaine worth One Million Three Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling (E1.3 million). The cocaine was hidden in food boxes. In June 2021, Eric Kusi APPIAH was sentenced to six (6) years imprisonment.

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The arrest of APPIAH resulted in a joint operation between NACOC and NCA UK dubbed Operation Grid, which was aimed at fishing out other members of the syndicate.

During Operation Grid, other members of the syndicate were identified as Albert Kaakyire GYAMFI, 52 years, Jennifer AGYEMANG, 38 years, and Julius Tetteh PUPLAMPU, 56 years.

On 14 May 2021, Albert Kaakyire GYAMFI and Jennifer AGYEMANG travelled through KIA to UK and as part of the operational strategy, Albert Kaakyire GYAMFl and Jennifer AGYEMANG were allowed to travel to UK. Upon their arrival at Heathrow Airport, on 15 May 2021, they were arrested for attempting to traffic into UK fifteen kilogrammes (15kgs) of cocaine worth One Million One Hundred Thousand Pound Sterling (E1.1milion). The cocaine was found concealed in the base of the suitcase of Jennifer AGYEMANG. Forensic analysis also revealed a high reading of cocaine on the suitcase of Albert Kaekyire GYAMFI.

Julius Tetteh PUPLAMPU, on the other hand, left Ghana for UK on 13 August 2021. He was arrested upon arrival at the Heathrow Airport, on 14 August 2021, for attempting to traffic into UK six kilogrammes (6kgs) of cocaine worth Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand Pound Sterling (2480,000). The narcotic drug was found concealed at the base of his suitcase, in a similar fashion as that of Jennifer AGYEMANG.

Julus Tetteh PUPULAMPU has a previous conviction in Ghana for a similar offence. He was convicied ten (10) years imprisonment in 2012, following his arrest by NACOC then NAGOB, for trafficking cocaine from Ghana into UK.

On 07 December 2021, two more individuals linked to the syndicate were arrested in Ghana for their involvement in the case.

NACOC through the Office of the Attorney-General honored a mutual legal assistance request submitted by NCA, UK in relation to the case. Relevant documents were
forwarded to UK for subsequent use as evidence for prosecution.

In December 2021, Albert Kaakyire GYAMFI was sentenced to nine (9) years imprisonment, while Jennifer AGYEMANG was sentenced to Six (6) years and nine (9) months imprisonment. On Thursday, 10 February 2022, Julius Tetteh PUPLAMPU was also sentenced to six (6) years and nine (9) months imprisonment.

The Narcotics Control Commission, through the Hon. Minister for the Interior will continue to collaborate with our international partners to protect our borders and our communities from criminal drug syndicates in using our country as a transit point for Illicit drug trade.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh