S.C. affirms support for deterrent sentence on drug convicts

Accra Feb. 14, - The Supreme Court has affirmed its support for deterrent sentences handed down to persons convicted on drug related offences.

   

The Supreme Court made the affirmation when it dismissed an appeal filed by Italio Gervasio aka Italio Cabeza Castilo a Venezuelan businessman against his 20 year jail term handed down to him  by an Accra High Court in 2007.

   

The five member panel said the review of the grounds of appeal ought to be stamped out adding that “there is a menace in dealing with narcotics by foreigners and Ghanaians and the situation call for deterrent sentences.”

   

It further affirmed the deportation order by the Court to the accused saying “the deportation order still stands.’’

   

According to the court there was no merit in the appeal because circumstantial evidence against Gervasio was overwhelming.

   

Gervasio was on November 13, 2007 sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in connection a 588 kilogrammes of cocaine seized from a house at Mepeasem, in East Legon.

   

His accomplice Joel Meija Duarte Moises a machine operator was jailed 25 years by the same court.

   

The panel which was presided over by Justice Sophia Adinyira, included Justice Jones Victor Dotse and Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie, Justices Sule Gbadegbe and Ampah Benin.

GNA