A 43-year-old businesswoman, Gloria Baako, has appeared before the Accra Circuit Court after being caught with two plastic bottles containing alcoholic beverages mixed with cannabis. The incident took place at Mallam Attah Market, where Gloria was also found in possession of nine table tennis-sized portions of cannabis concealed in her handbag. The total weight of the cannabis was 201.42 grams.
Gloria is facing two charges related to the unlawful possession of narcotic drugs. Accompanying her in court was her daughter, Abigail Lartey Lartiokor, a 21-year-old bartender and student, who is being held on charges of abetting the unlawful possession of narcotic drugs. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the court proceedings presided over by Isaac Addo, the defendants were granted bail in the sum of GHS50,000 each, with two sureties each. The case has been adjourned to July 17.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong, stated that the complainants in the case are police officers stationed at the Drug Law Enforcement Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service. The accused persons reside in Newtown-Commando, Accra.
According to the prosecution’s account, on February 2, 2023, around 11:45 am, the complainants received intelligence that led to the arrest of Abigail at a drinking spot in Mallam Atta Market, Accra. During a search at the drinking spot, the police discovered two plastic bottles containing alcoholic beverages known as “Laka” and nine tennis ball-sized portions of a hard brownish substance suspected to be laced with narcotic drugs.
Upon interrogation, Abigail confessed to the crime and implicated her mother, Gloria, as the owner of the seized items. Abigail then led the police officers to Gloria’s residence. During further questioning, Gloria mentioned two individuals known as “Abodam” and Yaw at Mallam Atta Market as her suppliers.
The seized items were sent to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis. On February 28, 2023, the laboratory’s test report confirmed that the substances were indeed cannabis, a narcotic drug.
