35 people before court for loitering

Tema, May 28, GNA- Thirty-five (35) persons who were rounded up in a special swoop by the Tema Regional Police Command, have appeared before the Tema Circuit Court 'A'.

Thirty- two (32) of them who are facing charges of loitering at hideouts of drug peddlers pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of 15 million cedis with a surety each to reappear on June 16. The 33rd person however pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a fine of two million cedis, or in default serves six months imprisonment in hard labour.

The remaining two persons including a woman who was arrested while smoking Indian hemp pleaded not guilty to the charge of possessing drugs without authority and were remanded into prison custody to reappear on June 16.

The Prosecutor, Police Chief Inspector Adolpus Otchere, told the court presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu that the Tema Police Command in an operation to rid the region of criminals rounded up the 35 persons at suspected hideouts of drug peddlers in a swoop on May 25, this year.