Welder Gets 10 Years For Possessing Indian Hemp

Kumasi (ASH), July 10, A 24-year-old welder, Illiasu Alhassan, has been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in hard labour by the Ashanti Regional Tribunal for possessing 4.3 grammes of Indian hemp. Alhassan pleaded not guilty. Miss Gertrude Aikins, Principal State Attorney, prosecuting, told the tribunal chaired by Mr Justice K. K. Yanney, that on September 26, 1995, the Ashanti Region Police Narcotics Unit had a tip-off that some drug peddlers were operating at Alla Bar, a suburb of Kumasi. She said the police detailed some men to the place and managed to arrest Alhassan. Miss Aikins said five wrappers of some dried leaves which were later identified by the Police Forensic Laboratory as Indian hemp, were found on him. At the same tribunal, a 39-year-old unemployed, Yaw Dweneh, was also sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in hard labour for possessing five grammes of indian hemp. Dweneh pleaded not guilty. Mr Solomon Atadzie, a State Attorney, prosecuting told the tribunal that in the afternoon of October 26, 1995, Dweneh went to the Ashanti Region Police Narcotics Unit to enquire about a suspect who has been arrested for allegedly possessing narcotic drug. Mr Atadzie said Dweneh was introduced to Inspector S. B. Sarfo, officer in charge of the unit and during interrogation, Inspector Sarfo became suspicious of the accused and ordered that he should be searched. Seven wrappers of the hemp were found in his pocket.