3 arrested for attempting "wee" smuggling to Liberia

Three persons who allegedly attempted smuggling 33 parcels of compressed dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and other items to Liberia through the Elmina beach, were on Thursday arraigned at a Cape Coast Circuit Court.

Kojo Bronya, 32, an outboard motor fitter, Clement Nkrumah alias C.K, 29, a driver, and Kobina Sassah 29, a fisherman, were charged with conspiracy to smuggle, attempting to smuggle and possession of narcotic drugs.

Their pleas were not taken and they were remanded in police custody to be re-arraigned on Monday April 13.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Andam Okyere, who prosecuted, told the court presided over by Ms. Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, that on Friday March 13, a team of Policemen who were on night patrol in Elmina spotted two tricycles full of some items at about 0100hrs.

He said on a closer look, the Police saw that the items wrapped in black polythene bags, were being carted through the town and after setting surveillance on them, observed that the items were being sent into a parked canoe at the Elmina Landing Beach.

Thirty-three parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, some quantities of local gin, Mandingo bitters and fishing net were discovered in the canoe after a search.

ASP Okyere said Sassah was the person supervising the loading as of the time of his arrest, whilst Nkrumah, who was in charge of the warehouse from which the items were being loaded, was also arrested.

He said on Thursday March 19, Bronya, owner of the canoe and the content was also arrested.

Police investigations are ongoing.