Accra, May 30, GNA - Four policemen accused of extorting 18,000 dollars, 600 pounds and three million cedis from two persons who possessed a quantity of cocaine were on Monday remanded in prison custody by an Accra Circuit Court.

Detective Sergeant Stanley Gbeglo and Karimu Osuman, Ebenezer Ogbordjo and J.K Mensah, all Lance Corporals faced extortion charges. Derrick Osei Owusu, a soldier with the British Army and Leonard Benafo, a student, from whom the monies were exhorted had in their possession the narcotic drugs.

They were also charged for illegal possession of narcotic drugs and were remanded in prison custody.

They all pleaded not guilty and are to reappear on June 7, this year. The case as presented by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Abichab Boye said the complainants were policemen.

He said on May 27, this year at about 1400 hours, the Regional Criminal Investigation Department, Accra had information that the four policemen had arrested Owusu and Benafo at Papillion Hotel, Laterbiokoshie, Accra with a quantity of cocaine and were demanding 60,000 dollars from them to drop the case.

Prosecution said a team of policemen trailed the accused persons to Glens Discotec at Adabraka and met Owusu and Benafo in handcuff with Corporals Gbeglo and Osuman standing by them. The prosecution said Ogbordjo and Mensah absconded when they saw the team of Policemen.

The rest of the accused persons were escorted to the Deputy Regional Police Commander's office.

During a search, a polythene bag containing 163-thumb size of substance believed to be cocaine, 18,000 dollars, 600 pounds and three million cedis were found on Gbeglo.

In an interrogation, Owusu claimed ownership of the cocaine and mentioned that the four policemen after arresting them, demanded 60,000 dollars but were able to raise 18,000 dollars, 600 pounds and three million cedis.