A Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 30 year-old farmer, Iddrisu Ibrahim Koffie, to 12 years imprisonment in hard labour for possessing cannabis (Indian hemp) weighting about 2,500 grammes without authority.

He pleaded not guilty.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah, told the Court, presided by Mr. Justice Obeng Asante, that at about 1310 hours on August 22, 2013, the Asankrangwa Police Patrol Team had a tip-off that Iddrisu was trading in cannabis at Asankra Saa, near Asankragwa.

He said upon receiving the information, the Police team proceeded to the Asankra Saa Village and arrested the convict in his own house.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said when Iddrisu’s house was thoroughly searched by the team of Police Officers in his presence, a fertilizer sack filled with cannabis was found in the room.

The Prosecutor said Iddrisu was taken to the Police Station together with the exhibit for investigation.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said during interrogation, Iddrisu claimed ownership of the cannabis and mentioned one Kwaku, of Sefwi Bekwai, as his supplier but all efforts made by the Police to trace Kwaku proved futile.

The Prosecutor said on August 26, 2013, the exhibit was forwarded to the Police Forensic Science Crime Laboratory for examination and report.

He said on January 1, 2014, the Forensic examination report on the exhibit was received indicating that it was cannabis and after further investigations, Iddrisu was charged with the offence.

Passing sentence, the judge ordered the cannabis be burnt by the Police under the supervision of the court registrar and officials of the Environmental Protection Agency after 30 days.