Juaso (Ash), May 26, GNA - A 32-year-old farmer, Kofi Emmanuel, was on Wednesday remanded in prison custody for two weeks by the Juaso circuit court for allegedly possessing Indian hemp. Emmanuel pleaded not guilty to the charge and will re-appear before the court on June 6.

Chief Inspector J.K. Damanka, prosecuting, told the court, presided over by Mr Jacob Boon, that the complainants were police officers stationed at Agogo whilst the accused, also a resident at Agogo, was a farmer.

He said on May 9, this year, the Agogo police had information that some people were smoking Indian hemp in a house at Agogo and immediately dispatched four officers to the scene. On reaching there, the smokers took to their heels but the police managed to arrest Emmanuel after a hot pursuit. Seven wrappers of dry leaves were found in his pocket when he was searched.

Chief Inspector Damanka said when the accused was escorted back to where they were smoking, a plastic bag containing some of the dry leaves, a cash of 22,000 cedis and a lighter were also found. According to the prosecutor, a forensic laboratory report proved that the leaves were Indian hemp and Emmanuel was subsequently charged with the offence. 26 May 06