Driver jailed ten years for possessing Indian hemp

A driver has been jailed ten years in hard labour by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Court for unlawfully possessing Indian Hemp.

Iliasu Mohammed, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was later found guilty.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Isaac Mensah Apenteng told the court presided over by Mr Adjei Frimpong that on August 24, 2005, the police had a tip-off that Mohammed was selling some leaves suspected to be Indian hemp also known as “wee”.

He said police personnel disguised themselves and proceeded to the scene the next day at about 0530 hours to purchase some of the substance.

Inspector Apenteng said someone earlier gave Mohammed a hint not to sell the substance to them (personnel) because they were police personnel. Upon the tip-off, Mohammed attempted to escape but he was later arrested.

He said a search conducted on him revealed 21 wrappers of the dried leaves concealed in a black polythene bag.

Inspector Apenteng said the convict was then sent to the police station and after a forensic examination it was found out that the leaves were Indian hemp.

He said Mohammed initially denied the charge explaining that he had gone to the bush to ease himself when the police arrested him and that it was a frame up. The court concluded that the time and the common knowledge of the place, where drug peddlers and other miscreants usually meet, were consistent with the crime.