Court remands alleged British drug baron into custody

David Philip Mcdermott aka David Smith, an alleged British drug baron has been remanded into lawful custody by an Accra Circuit Court.

Charged with prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs, Macdermott aged 42, has pleaded not guilty.

Police say between the year 2013 and 2016, he undertook prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs without lawful authority in Ghana and United Kingdom.

The 42-year-old is wanted for his role in a conspiracy to import £71 million worth of cocaine into the UK in 2013.               .

Macdermott who was without any legal representation is expected to reappear on March 30 before the court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh.

The accused person, who was in handcuff, covered his face with his Polo Shirt in his bid to shy away from the cameras.

The court following prosecution‘s request remanded him pending further investigations in relation to Macdermott’s acquisition of a Ghanaian passport and other issues.

The court explained to Macdermott that he had the right to a counsel of his choice.

Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) A. A. Annor said the accused person had been living in Ghana for the past three years.

DSP Annor said in the year 2014, the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) received information from a reliable source that the accused person was involved in drug related business.

Based on that, surveillance was mounted on him and on March 11, this year, the fugitive was arrested from his hide out at Tse Addo residential area behind the Trade Fair Centre, Accra.

Prosecution said the accused was brought to the BNI for further investigation. Investigation also revealed that the accused was being sought for in the United Kingdom for similar offences.

DSP Annor said further investigation revealed that Macdermott was operating a gold mining company in the Eastern Region.

He is also believed to be in possession of a Ghanaian Passport bearing the name David Smith which he uses to travel in and out of Ghana for the past three years.

Source: GNA