Regional News of Thursday, 25 September 2003

Source: GNA

Court remands three hemp dealers

Mpraeso (E/R), Sept.25, GNA- A Circuit Court at Mpraeso has remanded two drivers and a trader in prison custody for possessing four maxi bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. Salifu Abubakri, 36, a trader, Issaka Abubakar, 40 and Teye Kwame, 34, both drivers.

Police Inspector Alexander Gyamera Acheampong, told the court that on September 7, this year, a team of police personnel who were travelling to Dadeaso village found a taxi approaching them from opposite direction but when they saw the police vehicle the driver of the cab turned and sped off.

He said the police chased the taxi and when they found that the police vehicle was closing on them they abandoned the cab and fled into the bush.

The prosecutor said when a search was conducted on the cab four sacks containing some dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, were found.

He said on September18, the three suspects were arrested by the Nima Police and sent to Mpraeso following a wireless message sent to all police stations throughout the country for their arrest.

Inspector Acheampong said during interrogation they suspects admitted being occupants of the taxi cab, and appealed to the court to remand the suspects in police custody to enable the police to complete their investigations.

The accused persons will re-appear on October 7.