Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 4 November 2015

Source: tv3network.com

Police intercept wee bales after tip-off

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The National Police SWAT Department has busted a drug export gang at Tudu, Accra and arrested two of its Nigerian owners.

The Tuesday operation also uncovered 630 parcels of compressed dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed in 14 bales of used clothing.

The three-hour operation on Tuesday, November 3, followed a tip-off from public-spirited persons around 9.00am.

The police alleged the owners of the consignment have adopted various means and tricks to outwit security to complete their diabolic plans.

Following the tip-off, the police SWAT unit deployed both plain-clothed and uniformed personnel to Tudu, where they identified Gracepojue Venture, operated by Grace Adaa, 58, and Joseph Jolayemi, 36.

That is where the police found the 630 compressed dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed in 14 bales of used clothing.

Both Grace and Joseph reportedly claimed ownership of the goods, adding they were meant to exported to Nigeria.

According to Grace, her company has been engaged in export of assorted goods between Ghana and Nigeria for the past 30 years.

She claimed she took delivery of the 14 bales containing the narcotic drugs on October 15, from persons she could not disclose.

Grace Adaa added she knew the bails contained the narcotic drugs but did not deem it fit to report it to the police.

Grace told TV3 that she was waiting for the owners to return as promised before prompting the police.

DSP Bismark Achaab, the officer commanding the National SWAT Police Department, commended the informants and called for public vigilance.

Both the exhibits and the suspects have been handed over to the narcotic unit of the police CID for further investigations and possible prosecution.