Accra, May 16, GNA - Suspects who were rounded up during a swoop in the Accra Metropolis last Thursday broke down in tears when the Circuit Court remanded them into Police custody.

The suspects numbering 72, including four women, wailed while they declared their innocence.

Some said they were on their way to their work places while others displayed their sponges to the court saying they were on their way to a bathhouse when they were arrested.

Since Police had not preferred charges against them their pleas were not taken. They are to reappear again on May 30.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Eric Amoako, who was prosecuting, told the Court that the suspects were Indian hemp sellers, mobile phone and bag snatchers and robbers that operated at Tudu, the Railway Station and Accra Girls=92 Secondary School areas. On May 12 2006 the Greater Accra Regional Police Command mounted an operation in the Metropolis to get rid of undesirable elements that had been terrorizing people.

DSP Amoako said during the swoop some of the suspects were caught smoking Indian hemp.

He prayed the Court to grant the Police a two-week adjournment to enable them to carry on a thorough screening and prefer the appropriate charges against them.