Four Ghanaians Jailed In UK For Drug Trafficking
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 o of cocaine (38kgs) with a street value of £2.88 Million.
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 17kgs of cocaine worth £1.3 million. The cocaine was hidden in food boxes. In June 2021, Eric Kusi Appiah was sentenced to six (6) years imprisonment.
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 Gyamfi 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 15kgs of cocaine worth £1.1 million. 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 Kaakyire 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 6kgs of cocaine worth £480,000. The narcotic drug was found concealed at the base of his suitcase, in a similar fashion as that of Jennifer Agyemang.
Julius Tetteh Puplampu has a previous conviction in Ghana for a similar offence. He was convicted ten (10) years imprisonment in 2012, following his arrest by NACOC, then NACOB, 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 9 years imprisonment, while Jennifer Agyemang was sentenced to 6 years and nine months imprisonment. On Thursday, 10 February 2022, Julius Tetteh Puplampu was also sentenced to 6 years and nine months imprisonment.
Source: Narcotics Control Commission
