The Tema Circuit Court has sentenced 2 police officers to a total of 13 years in prison after they were found guilty of possessing and trafficking narcotic drugs.
The judgment was delivered by Her Lordship Aleanor Kakra Barnes Botchway after almost four years of trial. The 2 police officers, ASP Nasiru Amadu and Corporal Emmanuel Mintah, were convicted based on strong evidence presented by the prosecution.
According to the prosecutor, ASP Ernest Kuofie, the case began in 2023 when a police officer from the Afienya District Police Command reported suspicious activities involving the two accused officers. At that time, Amadu was the second-in-command at the Sakumono District Police Headquarters, and Mintah served as his driver.
On November 19, 2023, police intelligence revealed that a Nissan Navara with registration GP 727 was transporting narcotics from Ho to Accra. Later that evening, the vehicle arrived at a snap-check point, and officers intercepted it. A search revealed eight sacks containing 541 compressed parcels of suspected narcotics.
Investigations uncovered that Mintah had a relative known as “Oluman,” a well-known narcotics dealer in Ashaiman Tulaku. On the day of the incident, Mintah had agreed to transport Indian hemp from Peki Tsibu to Tulaku for a fee. He then contacted Amadu, who also communicated with Oluman to finalize the deal.
The two officers drove the police vehicle to a forest area near Peki Tsibu, collected the drugs from a waiting Benz bus, and were arrested on their way back. It was later discovered that this was the second time they had engaged in such illegal activity.
The seized items were later confirmed as narcotics by the Forensic Crime Laboratory.
The court ruled that the officers had unlawfully possessed and trafficked narcotics, violating Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, and Section 37(2)(b) of the Narcotic Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).
Amadu and Mintah received sentences of 10 years and 5 years, running concurrently. They were also fined 10,000 penalty units (GH₵120,000). If they fail to pay the fine, they will each serve an additional three years in prison.
Follow for Updates!
Facebook: Newton Meshak
TikTok: @Mrrpoat