SERGEANT W.P. Acheampong stationed at the Tema Fishing Harbour police station who allegedly handcuffed a suspect tanker driver for smoking Indian hemp and extorted ?5,000 from him to drop the case is cooling off at the Regional Police Command police cells with Kwame Akorful, a civilian who styles himself as a police officer.

Mr. George Appiah, regional crime officer who disclosed this to the Chronicle stated that the police officer handcuffed Mr. Kwame Owusu, tanker driver and demanded ?20 million.

He stated that while Kwame Owusu was in handcuff, he pleaded with the officer and he agreed to take ?500,000.

Chronicle learnt from the crime officer that Sgt. Acheampong drove the suspect in his own private care GT 5396 C together with his friend Akorful to a friend of the suspect who borrowed him ?200,000 to add it to his ?300,000 and gave it to Sergeant Acheampong.

After collecting the money, Sgt Acheampong drove the suspect to Kpone police station and having introduced himself to the policeman on duty explained that the suspect has been granted bail at the Tema circuit tribunal but he police officer has lost his handcuff key.

According to Appiah, one police officer on duty at Kpone police station gave Sgt. Owusu a key and he freed his captive.

He told the Chronicle that following a tip-off, the regional police command mobilised men and Sgt. Acheampong and his accomplice were arrested.

A search in his private car brought out the ?500,000.