Blacksmith jailed for possessing narcotic drugs

An Accra circuit court on Wednesday sentenced one Godwin Dakpo, a Blacksmith, to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour for possessing narcotic drug.

Godwin was convicted on his own plea.

The court, presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandor, said in sentencing, it took into consideration the fact that the convict is a first time offender, and has been in custody for three weeks.

He said the court also considered the convict’s readiness in admitting his guilt and his plea for mitigation.

The court later ordered that the exhibits be destroyed by the investigator in the presence of the court registrar, and that a small portion of the exhibit must be kept until further instructions.

It again ordered that pictures must be taken in the process of destroying the exhibits.

Prosecuting, Assistant Commissioner of Police Moses Atibilla told the court that the complainant is a civilian employee with the Ghana Police Service.

He said on August 27, the complainant went to a pub at the Konkomba Market and was taking some drinks, when the convict approached him with one slab of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp for sale.

The prosecution said the complainant, who was a witness, feigned interest in buying the stuff and alerted the police.

The convict was arrested and the substance retrieved.

In his caution statement, he told the police he received a bag containing the stuff from one Tony.