An Accra High Court has sentenced Emmanuel Okechukwu Amara, a Nigerian trader, to ten years in prison for illegally importing and possessing narcotic drugs without proper authorization.
Amara, who transported drugs from Nigeria to Kumasi, was found guilty of importing 19 wrappers of methamphetamine, 644 pills of amphetamine, 18,590 tablets of Rohypnol Tramadol (225mg), 1,200 tablets of Tramaking Tramadol (225mg), and 500 New Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride (225mg).
He was convicted under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), for engaging in criminal conspiracy, possessing narcotic drugs without lawful authority, and importing narcotics without a license from the Minister of Health.
Presiding over the case, Her Ladyship Justice Comfort Kwasiwor Tasiame sentenced Amara to ten years in prison and fined him 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GHC 120,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional three-year jail term.
Meanwhile, his alleged accomplice, Frank Okafor Anthony, who pleaded not guilty, remains on trial. The case has been adjourned to February 21, 2025.
Background of the Case
The case against Emmanuel Okechukwu Amara and Frank Okafor Anthony began with an intelligence-led operation by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) on July 20, 2023.
Acting on a tip-off, NACOC operatives launched a crackdown on individuals suspected of dealing in narcotic drugs in Kumasi and its surrounding areas.
Their operation led them to POSLIN Hotel Ltd, located at Magazine New Road, Suame-Kumasi, where they arrested Okechukwu inside Room 407. Okafor was apprehended on the hotel staircase as he was leaving the same room.
A thorough search of the room uncovered large quantities of controlled substances, including 18,590 tablets of Rohypnol Tramadol (225mg), 1,200 tablets of Tramaking Tramadol (225mg), and 500 tablets of New Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride (225mg).
Additionally, 644 pills suspected to be amphetamine and 19 wrappers of a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine were found.
Besides the drugs, NACOC operatives also discovered significant sums of money, including GHC 14,345, Naira 2,250, and CFA 1,500. During interrogation, Okechukwu admitted ownership of both the drugs and the money, stating that he had transported the narcotics from Nigeria for sale in Kumasi. Okafor, however, denied any involvement.
Field tests conducted in the presence of the suspects confirmed that the seized substances included methamphetamine and tramadol, both classified as narcotic drugs and controlled substances.
The suspects were taken to the NACOC headquarters along with the seized items for further investigation. The drugs were later sent to the Ghana Standards Authority for analytical examination.
The third suspect, identified only as Frank, remains at large. Investigations into his whereabouts and potential involvement in the drug trade are ongoing.
