Fante Kenkey like wrapped "Wee" sent to Police lab

The Police say the 100 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp which were wrapped to look like “Fante Kenkey” has been forwarded to the Police Forensic Laboratory for examination.

The supposed Fante kenkey were to be exported from Ghana to the United Kingdom and delivered to one Frank Akowuah resident in the United Kingdom.

Prosecuting Chief Superintendent of Police Duuti Tuaruka told an Accra Circuit Court when two persons who were nabbed with the consignment appeared before it for the second time.

The accused persons: Kweku Boateng, a Travel and Tour Operator and his driver, Yaw Opoku Antwi have been jointly charged with conspiracy to commit crime, possessing narcotic drugs without lawful authority and attempted exportation of narcotic drugs.

They have pleaded not guilty to the charges after turning down a bail application.

Mr Anthony Lamoh a defence counsel for the accused persons said the Police should not take a long a time to in bringing out the results so the trial could start.

The court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh therefore remanded them into Police custody to reappear on November 23.

The case of the prosecutor was that the complainants in the matter were Police Officers stationed with the SWATS Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

According to prosecution, Boateng is also a businessman residing at New Achimota in Accra. Antwi resides at Nii Boi Town, Accra.

Chief Supt Tuaruka said on October 19, this year, at about 8:00pm, the complainants had information to the effect that the accused persons had stuffed a Hyundai Mini Bus with cartons of compressed dried leaves which were to be exported to the UK.

Prosecution said the complainant quickly proceeded and laid surveillance. At about 10:30pm, on the same day, the Police officers spotted the bus with registration number GB 5409-12 driven by Antwi.

According to the prosecutor, Antwi was heading towards Aviance Cargo section at the Airport so the Police Officer arrested him.

Chief Supt Tuaruka said when Antwi was questioned he stated that he was transporting kenkey to be exported.

However when one of the cartons were opened by the Police officers, it came to light that the parcels of compressed dried leaves were wrapped with fante kenkey leaves making it to look like fante kenkey.

Antwi was handed over to the Regional Criminal Investigation Department. In his caution statement, Antwi said he was sent by Boateng to transport the alleged Fante kenkey to Aviance Cargo for export.

Chief Supt Tuaruka said Antwi led the Police to New Achimota and Boateng was nabbed. When quizzed, Boateng stated that it was one Frank Akowuah who engaged him to export the exhibit to the UK.

Prosecution said the Police will be sending the dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp to the Police Forensic Laboratory for analytical examination.