Aflao, July 21, GNA - Seven people have been picked up with quantities of leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp in a dawn swoop in parts of Aflao on Sunday.

It formed part of a clampdown on crime in the area by the security agencies.

The areas included the public car park in the vicinity of the Diamond Cement Factory, where a woman barkeeper, Afi Hadzi, 45, was arrested with a quantity of the suspected leaves concealed in two plastic containers.

Also seized were a quantity of a hemp-laced local gin, a common practice in Aflao, christened "Under", which was on sale to the public, mainly drivers and their mates.

Abbas Musa, 33 and Kwaku Azigaglo, 21, both toll collectors at a place of convenience at the car park of the factory were also picked up with a number of wrappers of the leaves.

Yaovi Gakpo and Kofi Adorsu, both 45, were also arrested with 19 wrappers of the leaves around the Aflao market and Agorkpanu respectively, while Nana Kofi Kakraba, 26 was arrested at Zorokpome with seven wrappers of the leaves while Olumor Akpogbero, 21, a Nigerian had three wrappers of the stuff at Gbedekope.

Mr Samuel Sackietey, Aflao District Police Commander, who led the operation, told the GNA that the exercise was to rid the area of criminals, who had taken advantage of the heavy daily human traffic and business there.

"We would continue with the war against them until crime is eliminated for genuine business in the town", he said. Mr. Sackietey said the operation, which was carried out during a dawn downpour, was effective and took the criminals by surprise. He said the suspects would be put before court soon.

In a related development, a businessman, Kwaku Dordzi, 21, was arrested with a quantity of Indian hemp, concealed in his travelling bag during a routine check on the vehicle he was travelling on from Ho to Aflao by Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) personnel on Friday at Kpoglo near Aflao.

Mr. Sackietey said Dordzi who claimed ownership of the bag, got down for inspection but took to his heels with the bag but was apprehended after a hot chase and handed over to the Police. Dordzi whose plea was not taken arraigned before the Aflao Circuit Court on Monday July 15 and remanded in police custody to reappear on July 29, this year.