Two Nigerians are detained by the Ghanaian authorities for allegedly importing 200 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at USD 12 million.
Chief Sunny Ekechukwu Benji Eke, 53 and Mr James Elekechukwu, 47 were arrested by officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) in Ghana, in connection with the importation of a 40-footer container carrying, 1,946 boxes of shampoo imported from Bolivia in South America.
Chief Eke is an Igbo chief, hails from Bende local government of Abia state.
Eke and his accomplice were arrested in Ghana by NACOB officials, who have been monitoring the consignment following intelligence report from international law enforcement agencies about the content of the container, suspected to be prohibited substances.
Deputy Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board, Nil Lante Blankson said the success of the operation, reported as the biggest seizure ever in Ghana to the cooperation of international enforcement agencies.
According to him, in December, 2012, the agency was hinted about the cargo, which was shipped in a 40-footer container number MRK 257478-45GI belonging to MAESRK shipping lines and consigned to De Consumables Lines Limited, docked at the Tema Harbour and officers of NACOB have been red alert, he added.
Elekechukwu, a second-clothes dealer in Accra, was arrested when he showed up to clear the goods. He was reported to have repeatedly claimed innocence, insisting that he was oblivious of the contents.
Besides, he denied ownership of the container, maintaining that it belonged to Eke.
Eke, who was in Lagos at the time of seizure was cleverly lured by NACOB officials to Accra through the assistance of Elekechukwu and was eventually apprehended at Shoprite, after he had dodged several attempts to get him.
An official of NACOB told Daily Trust that the accused persons have been remanded in custody, while the matter has been referred to an Accra High Court in order to prosecute them.
An official of the Nigerian High Commission, who confirmed the incidence, affirmed that the mission had paid consular visits to the suspects.
He said the High Commission will assist them in getting access to their family members and in hiring a counsel to defend them, as officially required.

Source: http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/news-news/51447-nigerians-held-in-ghana-over-cocaine-deal