Tabiri Testifies In E. Legon Cocaine Case

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday, 16 November 2006
SUPERINTENDENT Edward Tabiri of the Property Fraud Unit of the Police Service yesterday told an Accra Fast Track High Court that it was with Grace Asibere Asibi’s assistance that the police were able to seize the 588 kilogrammes of cocaine from East Legon in Accra, on November 24, 2005.

Supt. Tabiri said that when he was assigned to lead a team of police personnel to arrest the suspects at 2 pm that day, he did not know about any pre-arranged information between his superiors and Asibi until "we met her immediately we arrested the suspects."

He was testifying in the case in which Joel Mella, 35, a machine operator, and Halo Cabezza Castillo, 38, businessman, both Venezuelans, are being tried for their alleged involvement in the importation of 588 kilogrammes of cocaine into the country.

David Duarte Vasquez, a boyfriend of Asibi believed to be the leader in the importation of narcotic substance and who has also been charged, is still at large.

Joel and Halo, who were in court, have pleaded not guilty to four counts of conspiracy, importation and possessing of narcotic drugs without lawful authority.

Led in evidence by Ms Getrude Aikins, a Chief State Attorney, Supt. Tabiri told the court that a company called Compimchex, jointly owned by Vasquez, Asibi and one Vicente Cross, was used as a front in the drug business.

He said the company was registered as an import and export entity and dealt in brassieres and panties for ladies under the brand name, Afrodita, adding, "The company once held an exhibition at the Accra International Conference Centre."

He said during police investigations, it came to light that the Ghana Immigration Service in August, last year turned down an application by Vasquez for an entry visa for Mella but he managed to get into the country on September 9, that year.

During cross-examination by Kwabla Dogbe Senanu, Counsel for the accused, Supt.Tabiri told the court that Asibi fronted for Vasquez to acquire the East Legon residence from the owner, Mr Fiagorme "for the purposes of the drug business."

When counsel requested to tender Asibi’s caution statement in evidence through the witness (Supt. Tabiri), the prosecution did not raise any objection.

Supt. Tabiri further told the court that even though the tenancy agreement for the East Legon house was between Asibi and the landlord, "Vasquez and the other accused persons were deeply involved in the importation of cocaine."

"There was a conspiracy. It was not my business to know who started the drug importation. Asibi had come to tell us about the deal and those we arrested were active participants," Tabiri said.

He told the court that although they did not find cocaine on either Mella’s body or in his room, "we found incriminating evidence such as ammonia, a machine that compresses the stuff as well as a notebook that indicates number of kilogrammes sold."

"Mella could speak little pidgin English and made signs that were very clear to us. He was not there as a guest but was also part of the group that was doing the cocaine business," Supt. Tabiri said.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice E.K. Ayebi, adjourned proceedings until November 21, for Supt. Tabiri to be cross-examined by Castillo’s counsel.

Earlier, Ms Aikins told the court that the prosecution had decided to proceed with the trial of the two men because investigations had not been concluded to enable them to charge other people connected with the case.