Abetifi Police arrests two Indian hemp peddlers

Mpraeso, June 11, GNA- The Mpraeso Circuit Court, has remanded two Accra-based traders in prison custody for allegedly trafficking leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

Florence Aryee, 45, and Teiko Okine, 35 concealed the substance in sacks of charcoal and baskets containing fish. Briefing the Ghana News Agency at Mpraeso, the Mpraeso District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ben Wonkyi, said the Police mounted a roadblock to arrest the two, following a tip-off.

The District Police Commander said Aryee claimed ownership of one of the baskets of leaves which she said she purchased at the cost of 1.4 million cedis from a marijuana "wee" dealer at La in Accra, while Okine said he purchased his for 800,000 cedis from a dealer at Darkuman, also in Accra. ASP Wonkyi said the suspected leaves had been sent to the police forensic laboratory for examination.

ASP Wonkyi commended the Abetifi police and the informant for their vigilance and called on the general public to cooperate with the police to combat crime in the area. 11 June 05