Farmer jailed 12 years for cultivating Indian Hemp

The Asamankese Circuit court has sentenced a farmer, Daniel Tei to 12 years' imprisonment for cultivating Indian hemp at Brebusu village near Asuom.

Tei who initially pleaded not guilty, later admitted he had inter-cropped his maize and cassava farm with the hemp.

Police Chief Inspector John Boateng prosecuting, told the court that Tei was arrested by the Kade Police on August 24 last year, acting upon a tip off.

He said the police took samples of the leaves from the accused person's farm for forensic test and for use as exhibit while the rest was destroyed.

The report of the test showed that the leaves were Indian hemp weighing 10,000 grammes.

When the judge, Mr. S. Appiah asked Tei to open his defence, he confessed to committing the offence and pleaded with the court to deal leniently with him.

Mr Appiah said he has no sympathy for those who cultivate Indian hemp for a living adding that though the minimum penalty was 10 years imprisonment, he was sentencing the accused to 12 years because of the gravity of the crime.