In a striking case of military misconduct, U.S. Army Major Kojo Owusu Dartey has been convicted on multiple charges relating to illicit arms smuggling to Ghana, a saga that has unspooled a narrative of deception and criminal activity far removed from the honor typically associated with military service. Following a rigorous federal trial, Dartey, 42, stationed at Fort Liberty, now faces a potential 20-year sentence for his role in trafficking firearms overseas, which according to the Department of Justice, included a rifle, shotgun, and nine pistols clandestinely shipped in containers disguised with rice and mundane household goods.
The jury’s verdict, rendered on April 23, addressed charges including dealing in firearms without a license, delivering firearms without notice to the carrier, smuggling goods from the United States, illegal export of firearms without a license, and conspiracy. In an official statement, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley highlighted that “through a partnership with Ghanaian officials, this rogue Army Major was convicted at trial,”
Evidence presented in court detailed Dartey’s acquisition of the firearms from pawn shops and a military exchange store in the Fort Liberty area during the summer of 2021. His conspiracy entangled a U.S. Army staff sergeant from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, who procured three Glock 19 pistols and transported them to North Carolina. The firearms were then concealed within barrels before Dartey facilitated their shipment from the Port of Baltimore to Tema, Ghana. The Ghana Revenue Authority’s interception of these weapons marked a critical turning point, prompting a cooperative investigation between Ghanaian authorities, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) attaché in Ghana, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.
Beyond the arms smuggling, Dartey also faced legal repercussions for making false statements to law enforcement and in court regarding an unrelated marriage fraud scheme involving soldiers at Fort Liberty and Ghanaian citizens. Notably, he was accused of lying about a personal extramarital affair with one of the witnesses in that trial, a fact he denied under oath. However, Dartey was acquitted on counts of lying to gun stores while purchasing weapons and on one charge of impeding justice in the marriage fraud scheme trial.
As Dartey awaits his July 23 sentencing, the case draws into sharp relief the multifaceted dangers of international arms smuggling.
Relevant articles:
– ‘Rogue Army major’ convicted of smuggling guns to Ghana, lying about marriage fraud ring , Stars and Stripes, 04/30/2024
– Fort Liberty Army Major found guilty for smuggling guns in rice barrels to Ghana; lying under oath, WGHP FOX8 Greensboro, 04/30/2024
– US Army Major Convicted For Smuggling Guns To Ghana In Barrels Of Rice, DailyGuide Network, 04/30/2024
– Army Major Guilty of Smuggling Guns to Ghana in Barrels of Rice, SOFREP, 04/30/2024
– Fort Liberty major found guilty of smuggling guns to Ghana in barrels of rice, WRAL News, 04/29/2024