Crime & Punishment of Friday, 11 December 2015

Source: GNA

Man remanded over assorted drugs

A 23 year old man who claimed to be in the drug business for three months has been put before a Circuit Court over quantities of assorted drugs found on him.

Musah Mahmud, charged with prohibition of narcotic drugs without lawful authority, pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh remanded him into lawful custody to reappear on December 21.

It further ordered the police investigator to produce some of the drugs allegedly found on Mahmud in court at the next sitting.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Kofi Adu held the brief for Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Amegah.

He said on December 8, this year, at about 1900 hours, the Drug Law Enforcement Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) carried out an exercise in the metropolis.

According Chief Inspector Adu, the aim of the exercise was to clamp down on the activities of narcotic drug peddlers.

Prosecution said acting on a tip off, the Police team visited a narcotic drug peddling spot located at “Abollo” Park, Accra New Town and met the accused person and others sitting on a bench.

Chief Inspector Adu said when Mahmud saw the Police; he attempted to escape but was nabbed.

The Police conducted a search on Mahmud who was holding a small blue-black waist bag.

According to prosecution, 31 wraps of dried leaves and quantity of similar dried leaves all suspected to be cannabis were found in the bag.

Prosecution said 46 wraps of rocky and 42 wraps of powdery substances concealed in a polythene bag were also found.

During interrogation, Mahmud in his caution statement claimed ownership of the drugs, but failed to disclose to the Police his source of supply.

The accused told the police that he had been in the drug business for the past three months.

Prosecution said the drugs were being sent to the Police Forensic laboratory for examination.