Crime & Punishment of Monday, 23 August 2004

Source: GNA

Two in court for possessing six parcels of Marijuana

Asamankese (E/R), Aug. 23, GNA- Two Farmers who were found with six parcels containing some dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp, were on Friday remanded for two weeks by the Asamankese Circuit Court. Albert Yegbey and Simon Asare pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on September 3.

Police Chief Inspector Osei Owusu told the court that on November 9, last year, at about 2100 hours, the complainant, a drinking bar operator, was at the drinking spot when the accused persons showed up saying they had left something to collect from the store.

They took possession of a black polythene bag they kept somewhere in the bar and when the complainant challenged them to know what it contained, they declined, he said.

The complainant, the prosecutor said, with some people who were around arrested Yegbey and Asare.

The prosecution said when the bag was examined, the contents were found to be six parcels containing some dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp.

The two were arrested and handed over to the Police together with the leaves.

Chief Inspector Owusu said the leaves were sent to Police forensic laboratory where they were certified to be Indian Hemp weighing 312.6 grams.