ByTai Kolade
Four men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in an attempt to import 1.5 tonnes of cannabis into the UK from Ghana. The sentencing follows their conviction by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Daniel Yeboah, 54, Kristoffen Baidoo, 48, Kwaku Bonsu, 52, all from London, and Edward Adjei, 48, from Grays, were found guilty during a three-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. The operation dates back to 2019, when the men tried to smuggle cannabis concealed in sacks of Gari powder. These sacks were shipped from Ghana and intercepted at Tilbury Docks in Essex by NCA and Border Force officers.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered 2,335 packages of herbal cannabis hidden within the Gari sacks, with an estimated street value of around £4.3 million.
To execute their plan, the NCA replaced the cannabis with dummy packages and monitored the container as it traveled to an industrial site in North London. However, once the men realized the drugs had been replaced, they fled the scene in different vehicles, abandoning the shipment.
The arrests followed shortly after, with Yeboah and Adjei apprehended in Homerton, Baidoo in Stratford, and Bonsu in Edmonton. On October 18, 2024, Yeboah received a five-year sentence, while Adjei was sentenced to four years. Baidoo, who was absent from the trial, received a 10-year sentence, and Bonsu, who fled before sentencing, was given seven years. Authorities are currently working to locate these two men to enforce their sentences.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Saju Sasikumar emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “These men used their international contacts to import a significant amount of cannabis into the country. Its distribution in the UK could have severely impacted our communities, contributing to violence and exploitation through county lines drug dealing.”
“This outcome highlights the NCA’s dedication to targeting organized criminals at the top of the drug supply chain and holding them accountable in court.”
