Asamankese (E/R), Dec. 20, GNA - Kwaku Brew Asare, a 38 year-old farmer at Akyem Tumfa who did not heed the advise of his fiancee to destroy his Indian hemp farm, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in hard labour by the Asamankese Circuit Court presided over by Mr S S Appiah.

Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Kofi Akuamoah Boateng said sometime in June this year, the fianc=E9e of Asare also a farmer found some unfamiliar plants transplanted on her farm.

He said when Asare refused to destroy the plants, which were identified as Indian hemp, the woman reported him to the Police who arrested and arraigned him before the court. He pleaded guilty.

Inspector Akuamoah Boateng said following an inspection of the farm and the plants were uprooted and sent to the Police Forensic Laboratory, they were found confirmed to be Indian hemp and Asare was charged with the offence.

The accused contended that the Indian hemp was meant for the treatment of asthma and worms and was even had the efficacy for fighting HIV/AIDS.