MISSING 77 PARCELS OF COCAINE: Another Policeman Arrested

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday October 21,2006
GENERAL Police Corporal Kennedy Dzakeh, was yesterday arraigned before the Greater Accra Regional Tribunal as the sixth police personnel standing trial for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of 77 parcels of cocaine from the MV Benjamin vessel at the Tema Port.

He was charged with abetment and was remanded in police custody by the court, presided over by Mr Justice Frank Manu, until November 3.

Corporal Dzakeh, who until his arrest, was with the Police Motor Traffic Unit (MTU) in Kumasi, consequently joins Sergeant David Nyarko, Lance Corporal Peter Bundorin, Lance Corporal Dwamena Yabson, Sergeant Isaac Asante and Detective Sergeant Yaw Amoah in the case in which five suspected drug barons are also standing trial at an Accra Circuit Court.

All the accused exce[t Amoah, who is on the run,are in police custody.

Amoah jumped bail after the original prosecutor, Betuiriseeh Cab-Beyou, a Chief State Attorney, allegedly charged the original charges of abatement preferred against the accused to extortion , which warranted them bail.

Dzakeh was alleged to have taken a 15,000 dollar from Asem Darke also known as Sheriff, now at large, who allegedly took possession of the narcotic drugs and allowed him to cart the stuff away.

Presenting the facts, Assistant Superintendent of Police George Abavelim told the court that Dzakeh, who was stationed at the Tema Fishing Harbour Police Station was a friend of Sheriff’s.

The prosecutor said sometime in April 2006, Dzakeh met Sheriff, who was involved in the importation of the 77 parcels of cocaine, at AFKO Fisheries Junction in Tema, took 15,000 dollars from him and allowed him to go with the illicit drug.

The prosecutor said Dzakeh used part of the money to buy an Opel Astra (GTY 7203 X).