Crime & Punishment of Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Source: GNA

Trader jailed for possession indian hemp

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An Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday sentenced Irene Nyemebuo, a trader to four months imprisonment for dealing narcotic drugs without lawful authority.

Irene who was sentenced on her own plea was also fined 10,000 penalty units or in default serve 3 years in jail.

The court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh said in sentencing the court took into consideration the quantity of the substance and the fact that she was a single parent and the number of months already spent in custody.

The court also ordered that the exhibit be destroyed by the Police in the presence of the Court's Registrar by close of day.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Kwabena Adu told the court that on November 19, 2015, at about 2200 hours the Mile 7 District Police conducted a surprise search on the premises of James Town Dinking Spot located at Ofankor, owned and ran by Irene.

He said the police discovered a sack half full of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp hidden under a table in the spot.

He told the court that the police also found a rubber container filled with some leaves also suspected to be Indian hemp soaked in some local gin known as Akpeteshie and seized them.

Chief Inspector Adu said Irene was arrested and the leaves and the drinks impounded was sent to the police station.

Upon interrogation, she stated that the exhibits were given to her by a man to sell for him, but she failed to produce the said man and was later charged.