SIX SENTENCED IN GHANA'S LARGEST DRUG SMUGGLING

UNCLAS ACCRA 002138

SIPDIS

INL PASS TO ERENI ROESS / LAGOS PASS TO CLAYTON WHEELER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SNAR GH CACS
SUBJECT: SIX SENTENCED IN GHANA'S LARGEST DRUG SMUGGLING
CASE

REF: A. A) ACCRA 00051


B. B) 03 ACCRA 1976 C) 03 ACCRA 2480

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SUMMARY
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1. On October 27, six men who were convicted in a
high-profile drug trafficking case in Ghana were sentenced to
twenty years each in prison. Among the six is Kevin Gorman, a
UK-US dual national, whom the judge described as "the wheel
around which all activities revolved." Sentencing came after
months of court battles, which ultimately ended at the High
Court. The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Narcotics Control
Board, the agency chiefly responsible for making the arrest,
was satisfied with the outcome. End summary.

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SIX MONTHS OF COURT BATTLES REACHES A CLIMAX
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2. On January 7, 2004, the Ghana Narcotics Control Board
(NCB) and the Ghana Police Service Drug Enforcement Unit
(DEU) intercepted 588.33 kilograms of cocaine in Ghana's
largest ever drug bust (see reftel A). The raid was possible
due to the aid of INL surveillance equipment donated in 2003,
as well as UK intelligence.


3. A lower court initially granted the suspects bail, which
caused public outcry. Press reports at the time claimed that
the suspects were being treated favorably because five of
them were foreign nationals. The suspects were then remanded
to a medium security prison when the case was sent to the
High Court for deliberation. All six suspects pleaded not
guilty to a range of charges, which included engaging in
criminal conspiracy to commit a drug-related offense,
possession of illegal narcotics, importing narcotic drugs
without license from the Ministry of Health, and using
property for keeping narcotic drugs.


4. On October 27, the presiding judge, Justice F.
Kusi-Appiah, delivered the sentence in a 50-page verdict
which took two and a quarter hours to read. Each of the six
suspects were sentenced to 20 years on each count to run
concurrently (Note: the minimum sentence for the charges is
10 years each). The court also ordered that currencies seized
from the accused persons - US$18,841, 1,150 British pounds,
9,485 euros, 442 Venezuelan dollars, 40 Thai baht, 10 Swiss
francs, and 4.2 million Ghanaian cedis - be deposited into a
government account.


5. Kevin Gorman, named as the operation's ringleader, is a UK
national who also possesses an American passport. The British
High Commission told the Consular section on October 29th
that they believe he was previously married to an American
citizen. Mr. Gorman has not requested American consular
services throughout the case's proceedings and has instead
received, and continues to receive, services from the British
HC in Accra.

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COMMENT
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6. This case was the lead story in Ghanaian newspapers on
October 28. That this high-profile case involving five
foreign nationals resulted in such a stiff penalty is widely
regarded here as a success for both counter-narcotics
authorities and the judiciary in Ghana. The Executive
Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board, Colonel Isaac

SIPDIS
Akuoko, told PolOff that he is "very satisfied and happy"
with the outcome of this trial. The court's decision will
hopefully strengthen existing efforts by counter-narcotic
agencies here in Ghana, as well as discourage attempts by
illegal smugglers to open up new routes through West Africa.
It further reinforces the need for continued USG assistance
in fighting the flow of illegal drugs into and through the
region. Meanwhile, the counter-narcotics effort continues as
a 4-week, INL-funded, interagency training aimed at stopping
the smuggling of drugs through Ghana's seaports and airports
was launched on October 18th. This training also garnered
prolific local press coverage. End comment.
YATES