A Ghanaian man, Simon Arhinful, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Turkish court after being convicted of tramadol smuggling—despite not personally transporting the drugs into the country.
Reports indicate that Simon had asked a friend back in Ghana to buy tramadol and bring it to him in Turkey. The friend, whose identity remains unknown, managed to board a flight from Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport with the medication undetected.
However, things took a dramatic turn upon arrival in Turkey. Security officials at the Turkish airport flagged the package during a screening, quickly uncovering the concealed tramadol. The friend was arrested on the spot.
Meanwhile, Simon, unaware of the unfolding events, arrived at the airport to warmly welcome his friend. Instead, he was immediately arrested by Turkish authorities and linked directly to the drug package as its intended recipient.
Following their arrest, both Simon and his friend were swiftly tried in court and handed identical sentences—20 years in prison each. The outcome has shocked members of the Ghanaian community both locally and abroad.
Tramadol is a tightly regulated drug in Turkey, where the government enforces some of the strictest drug laws in the region. Even minor infractions involving controlled substances can result in heavy prison terms.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the severe consequences of drug-related offenses in foreign countries, especially where legal systems impose tough penalties.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
