A trader, Daniel Agbeko, also known as Abraham Fosu, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the High Court in Accra for attempting to export methamphetamine concealed inside two picture frames from Ghana to Australia.
Agbeko, who faced charges of criminal conspiracy, importing narcotic drugs without a license, and attempting to export narcotics, was found guilty despite pleading not guilty.
The frames had been sent to him by his Nigerian partner, John Emeka, who remains at large.
Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, presiding over the case, sentenced Agbeko to 15 years for each charge, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Additionally, Agbeko was fined GHC120,000, with a three-year prison sentence to be served if he fails to pay the fine.
The court considered Agbeko’s status as a first-time offender and his expression of remorse during the trial.
However, Assistant State Attorney Frederick Adu-Gyamfi informed the court that Agbeko showed no remorse during the investigation, maintaining his innocence despite the evidence.
The prosecution’s case was supported by witnesses from the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and other agencies.
On June 20, 2022, NACOC personnel at Kotoka International Airport intercepted a package bound for Sydney, Australia, which contained two picture frames filled with a whitish crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine.
Investigations led to Agbeko’s arrest after officials tracked the sender through Aramex, the courier service. During questioning, Agbeko admitted ownership of the package and its contents, revealing that he had received the frames from his partner, John Emeka.
He also disclosed that he used the alias “Abraham Fosu” and a corresponding passport to conceal his identity.
