Accra, Aug. 11, GNA - Two persons who concealed eight maxi bags of Indian hemp among bags of charcoal being transported to Accra appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Monday charged with possessing narcotic drugs without lawful authority.

Daniel Obiri, aka Cudjoe, a trader and John Larbi, driver, were nabbed following a tip-off which disclosed that they were transporting the drugs from Anum in the Eastern Region to Accra. The Highway Patrol Team intercepted their vehicle with registration number GT 4457 U at Atimpoku.

Obiri was additionally charged for possessing extra package of dried leaves on him when he showed up to bail Larbi. The accused persons have pleaded not guilty. The court, presided over Mr Mohammadu Iddrisu remanded them into prison custody to reappear on August 26.

The case as presented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Aidan Dery is that on June 2, police had a tip-off that a the Mercedes Benz was transporting narcotics drugs from Anum to Accra. Personnel of the Highway Patrol Unit of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) mounted surveillance and intercepted eight bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed in bags of charcoal. ASP Dery said Larbi was arrested and during interrogation mentioned Obiri as the owner of the stuff. Obiri, the prosecution said, was arrested when he showed up and offered money to the Police for the release of the vehicle and the drugs.

Dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and GH cedis 1,390 were found on him when the police searched him. Prosecution said Obiri admitted ownership but refused to disclose his source of supply and his buyers. They were later handed over to the Organised Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. The exhibit has since been sent to the Laboratory for examination.