Three remanded over alleged cocaine hidden in gari
Three men have been remanded in Ghana after police allegedly found 869 slabs of suspected cocaine hidden in sacks of gari and cassava powder at a warehouse in Tema.
A court in Ghana has remanded three men accused of concealing 869 slabs of suspected cocaine in bags of gari and cassava powder.
The three, Dutch national Gilano Jorgino Holwin, 56-year-old transporter Alhaji Iddrisu Haruna and 41-year-old clearing agent John Mensah Sarbah were arrested at a warehouse at Tema's main harbour.
An Accra Circuit Court refused their bail applications and ordered them to remain in custody.
They have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to unlawfully control narcotic drugs, unlawful control of narcotic drugs and prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs.
Prosecutors told the court that police acting on intelligence went to the Golden Suvineur warehouse on August 5 and found the three men loading white sacks of gari and cassava powder into a DAF truck.
A search allegedly uncovered 869 slabs of substances suspected to be narcotics concealed inside the sacks.
Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Haligah said the suspected drugs had been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for testing.
The prosecution said Mr Holwin had admitted ownership of the suspected drugs and told investigators that the other two men were helping him export them to London.
The prosecution did not provide details of the alleged intended recipient in the UK.
The court was told that investigations were continuing.
The case comes as Ghanaian authorities step up efforts to intercept suspected drug shipments through the country's ports and other entry points.
The court has ordered the three accused men to remain in custody while investigations continue.