<<Print>>

A circuit court �A� in Tema, on Monday sentenced a woman and two men to 11 years imprisonment each for possessing 56 wrappers of Indian hemp. Janet Fab, 39-year-old trader, Robert Ofei, 29-year-old driver and John Azah, 30-year-old unemployed pleaded not guilty to the charge of possessing narcotic drugs without authority. Chief Inspector Matilda Tetteh told the court presided over by Mrs. Lorinda Owusu that following a tip off, Police patrol team from Tema arrested the three Indian hemp peddlers behind the Mosama Disco Kristo Church at community six in Tema on 17 May last year while others escaped. She said 56 wrappers of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were found in black polythene bags at the premises of the suspects. The court also jailed Moses Acquah alias Abeiku for five years for possessing Indian hemp. Chief Inspector Adolphus Otchere told the court that the Tema Regional Police command undertook a swoop on criminals in the Ashaiman Municipality on March 1 this year. He said Acquah threw away a matches box he was holding upon seeing the Police at Ashaiman Fitter Line. The Chief Inspector said when the Police asked him to open the box, a wrapper of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp was found. Prosecution said Acquah claimed ownership of the wrapper and pleaded for leniency.