Man faces drug charges

Accra, Nov. 12, GNA - A 35 year old seaman, who offered his mobile phone as bribe, when he was caught with 21 parcels of Indian hemp, on Wednesday appeared before a Circuit Court in Accra. Nii Armah Mensah charged with possessing narcotic drugs without lawful authority pleaded not guilty.

He is to reappear on November 26. The prosecutor, Chief Inspector R.K Dzogbeti told the court presided over Mr Mahamadu Iddrisu that on May 22, this year, the complainant Joseph Mensah Lamptey was at Swalaba Lorry Station in Accra waiting to board a vehicle to his work place. Prosecution said around the same time, Mensah arrived at the Lorry station holding a black polythene bag waiting to board a Kaneshie/Odorkor commercial vehicle.

Mr Lamptey became suspicious of Mensah's demeanour and he quizzed him over the content of the bag. Mensah told the complainant that he was carrying Indian hemp. Mensah therefore offered his mobile to bribe the complainant, but he declined and escorted the accused to the Regional Criminal Investigation Department.

During police investigations Mensah said he brought the suspected dried leaves from Yeboah, a friend at Nima for GH¢20. According to Mensah, he sold the leaves and smoked some. Prosecution said the leaves were sealed in the presence of the accused and sent to the Police Crime Laboratory.