The Highway Police Patrol has intercepted a taxi containing 111 compressed parcels of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed under the seats, speaker boxes and boot, and covered with yam, plantain and cassava.

But the police were unable to arrest the driver and an occupant in the taxi who fled into a nearby bush when they were stopped at Asisiesu junction on the Accra-Asesewa road on Saturday.

Briefing The Finder in Accra yesterday, the Highway Patrol Commander, Superintendent Obed Dzikunu, said on Saturday, September 29, at about 2.30am, personnel from the National Highway Patrol detailed to patrol the Accra-Asesewa road stopped an Opel Astra taxi with registration number AS 9610-11.

He said the taxi driver, who was with an occupant, made an attempt to stop and sped off.

The patrol team pursued the taxi and at about 400 metres away from where the police had attempted stopping him, the taxi driver abandoned the taxi.

The driver left the ignition key on and fled together with the occupant into a bush.

A search in the vehicle, according to Supt. Dzikunu, revealed the compressed parcels of dry leaves, which had been concealed under the seat and covered with food stuffs.

He said a driver’s license was also retrieved.

Supt. Dzikunu said the exhibit, together with the taxi, was brought to the headquarters for investigations, and called on the owner of the taxi to contact the police headquarters since most drivers give the excuse that their taxis have been snatched by armed robbers.