“I use Indian hemp to give me energy to work on my palm plantation,” says Kwame Seidu, 46, a farmer who appeared before the Cape Coast Circuit Court.

The plea of Seidu, a native of Mankessim was not taken and he was remanded in police custody to reappear on Thursday January 26, 2012.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Sarfo Khanin told the court presided over Mrs Florence Kai Otu that on January 3 this year, the police had information that the accused was dealing in narcotics and that upon a tip-off, Seidu was arrested and a search conducted in his room revealed a quantity of leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

He said when Seidu was interrogated he claimed ownership of the substance and that he used the substance to give him enough energy to enable him work on his palm plantation. Chief inspector Khanin said a sample of the substance has been sent to the police forensic laboratory for examination.