Tema May 09, (Osei-Antwi) GNA -- The Tema circuit court "B" has remanded into custody a man who was arrested by the police for possessing dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. The plea of Ekow Essel alias Decoder was not taken and he will reappear on May 25, 2004.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Alice Gyamfi told the court, presided over by Mr Stephen Teye, that on April 4, 2004, police mounted an operation at Sakumono village to look for suspected murderer who were alleged to be hiding at the Golf course area.

She said in the course of the operation, the police spotted the accused and the suspected murderer, nick named "Body man", sitting under a tree.

When the two saw the police approaching, they took to their heels, however, the police managed to arrest the accused, and when his bag was searched a quantity of dried leaves believed to be Indian hemp was found on him.

Inspector Gyamfi said the accused was escorted to Sakumono police station, and a further search revealed that he had a military cap in his pocket.