Language Problem Stalls Cocaine Trial

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday, 29 November 2006
THE trial of six persons, including the owner of the MV Benjamin vessel, who are alleged to have had knowledge about the disappearance of 77 parcels of cocaine from the vessel was suddenly adjourned yesterday by an Accra Fast Track High Court.

This was because three of the accused, Pak Bok Sil, 46, an engineer from Korea, Cui Xian Li, 44, a vessel engineer and Luo Yin Xing, 49, a sailor, both Chinese, claimed they did not understand English.


As a result, the court, presided over by Mr Justice Anin Yeboah, who is also a Court of Appeal judge, adjourned proceedings to November 30, to enable the court Registrar to secure the services of Korean and Chinese interpreters for the three accused persons.


The judge explained that under the law, a person charged before a court should be able to understand the language being used in the proceedings and added, “Assuming the accused pleads guilty and raises this issue on appeal, it will be an embarrassment to the court.”


The other three are Joseph Kojo Dawson, 34, the vessel owner, Isaac Arhin, 49, a sailor and Philip Bruce Arhin, 49, a mechanic.


Dawson was charged with one count of using his property for narcotic offences while Bok Sil faces a count of engaging in prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs.


Isaac, Bruce, Li and Xing are each facing two counts of engaging in prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs and possession of narcotic drugs without lawful authority.


Dawson stands accused for releasing his vessel to Asem Darko, popularly called Sheriff, who is said to have carted away 76 parcels of cocaine which were off loaded at the Kpone beach near Tema.


Sil, without lawful authority allegedly undertook “an activity for the purpose of promoting an enterprise relating to narcotic drugs by repairing the MV Benjamin vessel which is also called Adede II,” for it to sail from Takoradi to the high seas to convey 77 parcels each of which weighed 30 kilogrammes.


Isaac, Bruce, Li and Xing were alleged to have worked on the vessel that carted the cocaine from the high seas.