Accra, Sept. 28, GNA - Sam Laryea, a tailor who posed as an investigator from the Narcotic Control Board and attempted to collect five million cedis from a hotelier, was on Wednesday remanded in prison custody.

Laryea alias Charles, was charged for pretending to be an officer of the Narcotic Control Board contrary to Section 8(a) of the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Board Instrument, 1990 LI 1507. His plea was not taken and Mr Justice Frank Manu, chairman of the tribunal, refused to grant him bail after his Defence Team, Mr Philip Anderson and Mr S. K. Amoah's submissions failed to secure the bail. The accused would reappear on October 5.

Presenting the facts of the case, Mrs Rebecca K. Adjalo, Assistant State Attorney, told the court that the complainant Mr Riad Eid, a Syrian is the Managing Director of Riviera Hotel in Accra, while the accused is a tailor at New Town in Accra. The Prosecutor said on July 29, this year, Mr Riad received a call from Laryea, who claimed to be the head of the Narcotic Control Board. He further introduced himself as a friend of Mr Riad's late father. She said the accused told the complainant that he had information, which implicated him for supplying narcotic drugs. According to Mrs Adjalo, the caller stressed that he could influence the investigation, if the complainant was prepared to pay five million cedis to drop the matter.

She said on August 8, this year Laryea went to Mr Riad's office and told him that he was there on behalf of his Boss, Major Yamoah to investigate information received that Mr Riad was supplying drugs. The Prosecutor said after the accused had left the office, the complainant quickly made enquiries from the Narcotic Control Board, where he learnt the accused was faking and, therefore, lodged a complaint.

She said based on the complaint, officials from the Board mounted surveillance at the Riviera Hotel on August 9, and arrested Laryea when he went to collect the money.