MV Benjamin Cocaine Scandal: BNI Closing In On Syndicate

The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has revealed it is closing in on a syndicate that orchestrated the April 2006 MV Benjamin cocaine scandal. The national investigative fortress has prayed an Accra Circuit Court to give it sufficient time because they �are about to hit the nail in the Asem Darkei case. � BNI officials made the revelation when Christian Asem Darkei, the principal suspect in the MV Benjamin cocaine scandal, was officially charged with conspiracy to commit crime, importation of narcotic drugs and possession of narcotic drugs. Although he pleaded not guilty to all three charges, the presiding judge Ms Audrey Kokuvi-Tay, refused to grant him bail and was remanded in the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) custody. The case was adjourned to March 7, 2012. The prosecutor informed the court that the BNI is uncovering a lot in the infamous April 2006 cocaine incident involving a sophisticated network hence there is a need for more time to get to the root of the matter. The judge also directed the BNI to give lawyers of the suspect access to their client since they have not been able to hold conference with him after his arrest. Darkei is being held for his alleged role in the shipment and disappearance of 77 parcels of cocaine. The 77 parcels were offloaded into a waiting vehicle which carried them away. According to the prosecution, in the course of investigations, Sheriff�s featured prominently as the importer and/or owner of the drug. He was said to be the person who chartered the vessel at a cost of $150,000 to tow another vessel from Guinea to Ghana. Sheriff, the prosecution noted, was the person who carted the alleged 77 parcels on the ship�s arrival at Kpone. The Limping Man was picked up at the precincts of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on February 2, 2012 by officials of the Bureau of the National Investigations (BNI) upon a tip-off.