Wa, Oct 1, GNA - The Upper West Regional Police Command has mobilised personnel of the service and the Community Protection Unit throughout the region to destroy a total of about 50 acres of Indian hemp (wee) farms that were discovered at a village in the region at the weekend. Eight people, including two boys have been placed in police custody in connection with the discovery at Wullin a farming community in the Jirapa District. They are Tanbili Kofi 45, Dour Nawana 23, Daukor Daa 35, Elorro Paul Kofi 25 and Dornya Tanbili 48.

The rest are Erayour Dogo 19, Emiar Elatah 14 and Souah Nawana 16. Briefing the Ghana News Agency at his office in Wa on Monday ACP Kwasi Appiah Boateng, the Regional Commander said they had information that Indian hemp was being cultivated in tha Wullin area. ACP Boateng said he mobilised his men and despatched them there on September 27 and during a search they found about ten acres of the illegal plant at different locations inter-cropped with maize and millet.

He said they uprooted about two acres of the plant and left the rest for the next day.

On the following day, they went to continue with the destruction only to discover 40 acres more of the Indian hemp. According to him, some of the plants were found in the backyards and gardens of the inhabitants who had all vacated the village. The Regional Commander said the exercise would take four days to complete. 01 Oct. 08