Farmer remanded for possessing Indian hemp

Kumasi, March 5, GNA - A farmer, who doubles as a security man, was remanded into prison custody by a Kumasi Circuit Court for allegedly possessing 18 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

Richard Antwi, popularly known as 'Rasta' has not yet given his plea in court and would be brought back on March 16.

Police Chief Inspector Gulliver Kwabena Tenkorang told the court presided over by Mr. William Boampong, that the complainants were police personnel with the Drug Law Enforcement Unit in Kumasi, whilst the accused is a farmer and a private security man with T&Y limited at Amanfrom.

On June 26, 2014, at about 2030 hours, the complainant upon a tip-off arrested Antwi at his work place at Amanfrom.

A search on him revealed 18 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be 'wee'.

He confessed to the crime in his caution statement and mentioned one Atta at Adoato as his source of supply.

The exhibit has been sent to the Forensic laboratory in Accra for examination.

The police are still searching for the said supplier.

His counsel, in an attempt to plead for bail, said the man had been in custody for more than six months and the law says if a crime cannot be proven against an accused, he should be granted bail.

He further said the client was a family man and had a fixed place of abode and that when granted bail, he will not abscond.

The prosecution on the other hand rejected his plea, saying that, Antwi was supplying drugs to innocent youth in the society.

The Court therefore put on hold the bail and asked him to re-appear on the next adjourned date.

GNA