Four individuals have been convicted for their role in smuggling £4.5 million worth of cannabis concealed in sacks of Gari powder from Ghana to South Essex.
The large drug shipment was uncovered by Border Force officers in a shipping container at Tilbury Docks, following an operation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The men—Daniel Yeboah, 54, Kristoffen Baidoo, 48, and Kwaku Bonsu, 52, all from London, along with Edward Adjei, 48, from Grays—were found guilty by a jury after a three-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.
The container, which arrived at Tilbury Docks from Ghana on December 19, 2019, was initially held before proceeding to London. Intelligence from the NCA and the Ghanaian Narcotics Control Commission led to the discovery of 2,335 packages of herbal cannabis, totaling 1.5 tonnes, hidden within white hessian sacks of Gari powder.
The estimated street value of the drugs was approximately £4.3 million.
On January 13, 2020, the container was transported to a north London industrial yard under surveillance. Yeboah signed for the delivery with a forged signature, while Bonsu was seen photographing the container and Adjei dropped off Baidoo at the site.
Upon realizing the drugs were missing, the suspects fled in different vehicles but were later arrested in various locations across London.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Saju Sasikumar praised the collaborative efforts of the NCA and the Ghanaian Narcotics Control Commission in intercepting the shipment.
He emphasized the threat the drugs posed, including fueling county lines exploitation and serious violence.
During the investigation, a 10-tonne hydraulic press and various electronic devices were seized. Communications between the suspects revealed their concerns and involvement in the operation.
Baidoo’s phone messages and Bonsu’s financial transactions further implicated them in the scheme.
All four men are scheduled to be sentenced on October 18.
