The SWAT Unit of the Ghana Police Service have nabbed a 33-year-old porter for possessing two polythene bags containing dried leaves, suspected to be Indian hemp, at Airport Junction aka Gate Four, in Accra.
Baba Alhassan, also a drinking spot operator, was caught by the police smoking dried leaves, and on seeing the police, he allegedly damped the dried leaves in a bin.
Appearing before the Accra Circuit Court, Alhassan pleaded not guilty to the charge of unlawful possession or control of narcotic drugs for use.
The court, presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, granted GH¢50,000 bail with two sureties to be public servants, earning not less than GH¢2,000.
According to the court, the sureties are also to be within the court’s jurisdiction and directed accused to report to the police every Monday and Friday.
Prosecuting, Inspector Daniel Dzanku said the complainants in the case are personnel of SWAT Unit operating stationed within the Greater Accra Headquarters.
He said complainants received information that accused was dealing in dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp at his drinking spot.
Insp Dzanku said when the police proceeded to Gate Four, they met accused at the entrance, smoking substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
He said accused on seeing the police, dropped the substance in a bin.
Insp Dzanku said the police carried out a search at the drinking spot and the place of abode of accused.
He said two plastic containers containing Akpeteshie (local gin), substances suspected to be narcotic drugs, two polythene bags and dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs were retrieved.
The court heard that Alhassan claimed ownership for the substances and that it was for his personal use in his caution statement.
Insp Dzanku said when the police quizzed accused over his source of supply, he (accused) indicated that a certain young man brought the substance from the Volta Region, but he did not know the name of the said young man and his phone number. —GNA
