Crime & Punishment of Saturday, 14 June 2014

Source: GNA

Court jails 62-year old and two others

An Accra Circuit Court on Friday sentenced three persons to three months imprisonment each, in addition to 100 penalty units for using narcotic drugs.

The convicts, includes Daniel Okine, Trader, Fuseni Atibila, Labourer and Nkpatsi Mensah, Bar attendant.

The court presided over by Mr. Francis Obiri convicted the accused persons on their own plea.

Daniel, a 62-year-old, told the court that he started smoking in the 1960s during the Nkrumah era.

“l can only eat if l smoke,” he said.

He said his eight children, who knew of his smoking habits sometimes advise and discourage him from smoking the substance.

Prosecuting Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Duuti Tuaruka said on June 11, the Amasaman District Police Command conducted a swoop with the Ga West Municipality to curb the activities of drug peddlers.

He said at about 0620 hours, Daniel was caught in the act of smoking at the Pokusae cemetery and was arrested.

He said Fuseni and Nkpatsi both residents of Fise, were also arrested at Rasta Afric bar at Fise.

The prosecution said a search conducted on them revealed a wrapper each of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

They admitted buying the suspected dries leaves to smoke in their caution statement.