Court Jails Nigerian 10 years For Attempting To Smuggle Cocaine Through KIA
An Accra High Court has awarded a 10-year jail sentence and a fine to Ernest Nnajuiba Ukechukwu, a Nigerian man, for attempting to smuggle cocaine.
He was arrested by the Narcotic Control Commission (NACOC) in December 2022 while carrying cocaine weighing 16568.83 grams through the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Officials picked him up and searched his luggage while he was going through arrival formalities.
The Brazil-based man pleaded guilty to six (6) counts of narcotic offences relating to importation and possession of narcotic drugs, without lawful authority when he was arraigned and was convicted on July 13, 2023.
He was therefore sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in hard labour and charged with a fine of Ten thousand penalty units, or serve three (3) additional years in default.
The Court also ordered the destruction of the exhibit which was carried out the same day by the investigators of NACOC in the presence of the court Registrar, State prosecutors and the defense counsel at about 1433hrs.
The Commission reiterates its commitment to upholding its mandate to protect the public from the trade and usage of illegal narcotics to maintain public safety, hence the facilitation of the sentencing.
NACOC notes that the possession, use and transportation of illicit drugs without lawful authorization are still illegal and punishable under sections 40 (1) and 41 (1) of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020, (Act 1019).
