Ho, Jan. 11, GNA - A 41-year-old female trader, who was arrested on Wednesday at Anum-Asikuma in the Volta Region with bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, said the needs of her children forced her into the illegal business.

Ms Yaa Pokuaa claimed ownership of the substance in two ‘Ghana must go’ maxi size bags in the urvan bus she was travelling in and said she often sells the substance to get quick money to take care of her three children.

She told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that since her husband left for ‘greener pastures’ in Nigeria two years ago, she could not contain the burdens of their children and had to sell Indian hemp to provide for their two daughters and a son.

Ms Pokuaa, who was visibly distressed, said attempts to sell sachet water and do other petty trading did not yield much. She said this was her third instance at buying the substance at Dzemeni to be sold in Accra.

Mr Alex Bedie, Volta Regional Police Commander, who briefed the GNA on the arrest, said Police Patrol team on Atimpoku-Kpeve road had a tip-off that a woman was spotted at Dzemeni in the South Dayi District with bags of Indian hemp.

He said the Police upon reaching Dzemeni got information that the woman had left for Accra in a mini urvan bus with registration number VR 358 X.

Mr Bedie said the Patrol team thus chased the urvan bus to Anum-Asikuma and stopped it.

He said when the bus was searched, the bags of Indian hemp were found in the boot of the vehicle.

Mr Bedie said Ms Pokuaa admitted ownership of the bags and their contents and pleaded for leniency.

Ms Pokuaa is in Police custody and further investigations would be conducted towards her prosecution.