The Ashanti Regional Tribunal chaired by Mr Justice K.A. Pobih, has sentenced a 62-year-old unemployed woman to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour, for dealing in narcotic drugs.

The convict, Akua Afriyie, who resided at Kwadaso, a Kumasi suburb, was arrested on June 28, 2002, and after a series of appearances, was found guilty of of dealing in narcotic drugs and accordingly convicted. She pleaded not guilty to the charge when she first appeared before the court.

Prosecuting, the Ashanti Regional Chief State Attorney, Mrs Ellen Kwawukume, told the court that in June 28, 2002, the Regional Narcotic Unit mounted an operation to flush out drug dealers and peddlers in parts of the Kumasi Metropolis.

She said at Kwadaso, the team visited a well-known drug-peddling den and spotted Akua Afriyie at the place. According to the prosecutor, the team arrested her on suspicion that she was peddling in drugs, and when a search was conducted on her, a large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp was found.

Mrs Kwawukume said after her arrest, the team sent the dried leaves to the forensic laboratory for testing, and it turned out that they were Indian hemp.