Takoradi, Sept. 15, GNA — A Takoradi Circuit Court on Thursday granted GHC10,000 bail with two sureties to three suspected narcotic drug dealers.

They are Wura Hamidu and Paul Kwaw, both drivers residing at Brohani and Wenchi in the Brong Ahanfo Region while the third accused is Opoku Rockson, a trader.

The court charged them for unlawful possession of narcotic drugs without authority.

They pleaded not guilty to the offence and would re-appear on October 11.

Presenting the facts of the case, Police Inspector Veronica Tibson told the court, presided over by Mr. Kwasi Boakye, that on November 7, last year, at about 2100 hours, Hamidu was driving a KIA truck loaded with tubers of yam covered with tarpaulin heading towards Elubo from Takoradi, with Kwaw on board.

She said on reaching the Samenye Security Check Point, some security personnel from Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority searched the vehicle and found 189 compressed parcels of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed under the tubers of yam.

The security personnel intercepted the vehicle and arrested the accused persons to the Half Assini Police Station and were later transferred to the Regional Police Headquarters at Sekondi.

During police investigations, Hamidu mentioned one Yaw Asamoah who resides at Wenchi as the owner of the goods.

She said when the exhibits were tested at the Police Forensic Laboratory in Accra; it revealed that they were Cannabis. They were charged and arraigned before the court for prosecution.