Sekondi, Jan. 5, GNA - A Sekondi District Magistrate's Court on Monday fined two Ivorian traders 500,000 cedis each for possessing ammunition without authority.

The traders, Awumanu Adjo Ellen and Gnaly Justine, pleaded guilty to the charge.

They will serve 12 months in jail in hard labour if they default. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Joe Hedidor, said the accused persons arrived at Jewi Wharf at about 4.30 p.m. on December 27, 2003, to board a boat to La Cote d'Ivoire.

He said security personnel at the entry point searched the luggage of the accused persons found 36 packets of live cartridges, 50 bottles of Kasapreko Gin, 20 bottles of Kasapreko Lime cordial, 20 bottles of Gold Coast Gin and eight packets of Kasapreko sachets gin. Inspector Hedidor said the two people claimed ownership of the cartridges.

He said the accused persons could not produce permit and were therefore arrested.

Inspector Hedidor said during interrogation, the accused told the Police that they bought the cartridges for some Akpeteshie distillers in La Cote d'Ivoire who were also hunters.

Passing sentence, Mr Eric Baah, the Magistrate, ordered that the cartridges be destroyed under the supervision of the Police and the drinks be returned to the accused persons.