Farmer jailed 10 years for drug possession

A Sefwi Debiso farmer in the Western Region has been jailed 10 years for unlawful possession of dried leaves and seeds suspected to be Indian Hemp or “Wee”.

Kwabena Amponsah who claimed ownership of the substance upon his arrest by the Nkrankwanta Police pleaded guilty to one count of possessing illegal drug and was convicted upon his own plea.

Chief Inspector Bismarck Boye-Lartey told the Dormaa Circuit Court at Dormaa-Ahenkro presided over by Mr. Alexander Osei Tutu, that the complainants were a joint Police/Military team who were on duty at the Nyamebekyere barrier near Nkrankwanta on 28th July, 2012.

He said while on duty, the team spotted a Debiso-bound 207 Benz bus with registration number GR 7127 Y and ordered the driver to park for routine inspection.

Mr. Boye-Lartey indicated that when the passengers alighted to be searched, one of them who was later identified as the suspect in this case, jumped into a nearby bush raising suspicion among the security men.

He said when the vehicle was searched, a parcel which contained the suspected Indian Hemp was found and handed over to the Nkrankwanta Police.

“The driver of the benz bus, Benjamin Ofori, who knew the suspect at Debiso, disclosed the identity of the suspect to the Debiso Police leading to his arrest at the Debiso main lorry park where he was spotted loitering”, The prosecution told the court.

He added that the suspect was transferred to Nkrankwanta Police station where the parcel was opened in his presence.

C/Insp. Boye-Lartey told the court that Amponsah claimed ownership of the parcel and further explained that he bought the stuff from someone at Nsorkor in Brong-Ahafo region and intended selling it at Debiso.**