Ghanaian Soldier in US Army convicted of International firearm smuggling

In a significant development reverberating across military and law enforcement circles, Major Kojo Owusu Dartey, a Ghanaian soldier serving in the United States Army, has been found guilty of orchestrating a sophisticated firearm trafficking operation.

Following a meticulous investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina, Dartey faces a potential maximum sentence of 240 months in prison for his involvement in smuggling firearms from the United States to Ghana.

The conviction, handed down on April 29, 2024, sheds light on a transnational crime network that has raised concerns for both domestic and international security.

Central to the case is Dartey's role in acquiring firearms from the Fort Liberty area and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the intent of exporting them to Ghana.

Dartey's modus operandi involved concealing the weapons within blue barrels ostensibly filled with rice and household goods, a tactic aimed at evading detection during transit.

The gravity of Dartey's actions is underscored by the arsenal of weapons he sought to transport, including handguns, an AR15, 50-round magazines, suppressors, and a combat shotgun. These items, carefully concealed within the innocuous facade of everyday goods, posed a severe threat to public safety on both sides of the Atlantic.

However, Dartey's illicit activities did not go unnoticed. The Ghana Revenue Authority intercepted the contraband shipment upon its arrival at the Port of Tema, swiftly alerting authorities to the presence of the concealed firearms.

Prompt action by law enforcement agencies, including the DEA attaché in Ghana and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division, led to the apprehension of Dartey and the dismantling of the smuggling operation.

Beyond the immediate charges of smuggling firearms, Dartey's conviction also exposed his involvement in a separate criminal enterprise, a marriage fraud scheme detailed in U.S. v. Agyapong.

Despite initially providing information to authorities regarding the scheme, Dartey's subsequent deceit during trial proceedings underscored the depths of his duplicity.

The collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies in the United States and Ghana, as lauded by U.S. Attorney Michael Easley, serves as a testament to the necessity of international cooperation in combating transnational crime.

From the diligent efforts of the Ghana Revenue Authority to the technical expertise of investigative agencies such as the ATF and Army Criminal Investigation Division, the case against Dartey exemplifies the collective resolve to uphold the rule of law and safeguard public safety.

As Dartey awaits sentencing on July 23, 2024, the ramifications of his conviction resonate far beyond the confines of the courtroom.

It stands as a stark reminder of the vigilance required to thwart the machinations of international crime networks and preserve the integrity of lawful governance.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith