Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 15 July 2015

Source: GNA

Trader remanded over cocaine

A trader who was apprehended with 78 thumb-sized whitish substances suspected to be cocaine at Tudu on Tuesday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Emmanuel Okwaraukoma, charged with possessing narcotic drug without lawful authority, pleaded not guilty.

The Court presided over by Mr Justice Francis Obiri remanded him into police custody to reappear on July 23.

Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ernest Acheampong said on July 10, at about 0900 hours the Regional Police Command had information that Okwaraukoma was dealing in narcotic drugs.

DSP Acheampong said at 1030 am the accused person was arrested at Tudu with a black handbag. When the bag was searched 78 thumb size suspected to be cocaine was found.

He said when accused person was quizzed, he claimed he had been sent by someone to pick the bag for him at Tudu.

Prosecution said Okwaraukoma, however, could not lead the Police to arrest the person who sent him.