30 years for Indian hemp peddlers

Three notorious Indian hemp peddlers who have been supplying the drug to users in the Central Region over the years were on Thursday, April 3, 2008 sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by a Cape Coast High Court.

They are Philip Kobena Mensah, 52, a carpenter; Joseph Spio Gabrah, 42, a driver's mate and Kojo Asmah, 36, unemployed.

Presenting the facts of the case, a State Attorney, Hannah Taylor, told the court, presided over by Justice J.K. Dorgu, that around 7:30 p.m. on July 18, 2007, the Saltpond Police had a tip-off that some Indian hemp peddlers were hiding at the Christian Village at Mankessim.

She said the District Police Commander, Chief Inspector Patrick Andrew Yeboah, led a team of police officers to the hideout, where Mensah was readily arrested.

Attorney Taylor noted that the police had a fierce struggle with the other two for close to two hours before the police overpowered and apprehended them.

She added that during a search at their hideout, the police found 13 wrappers of Indian hemp on Gabrah, 19 on Asmah and 128 on Mensah.

She said a further search revealed 10 large parcels of leaves believed to be Indian hemp, machetes, three pairs of scissors and cassette player.

She told the court that during the struggle one of the police officers, Constable Patrick Asante, was badly beaten by the convicts but he was quickly sent to the Saltpond Hospital where he was treated and discharged.