Farmer gets 10 years for dealing in drugs

A 29-year-old farmer, Mohammed Atapo, who claimed he gets energy from smoking Indian hemp to work on his farm, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

Atapo was convicted on his own plea by the Tarkwa circuit court after he was charged for being in possession of Indian hemp without authority.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Florence Tawiah told the court presided over by Mr. Samuel Obeng Diawuo that the complainants are police officers stationed at Samreboi while the convict is a tenant farmer who resides at Tabakrom in the same vicinity.

According to the Prosecutor, on September 20, 2011 the Police at Samreboi received a complaint of threat of death against the convict by his landlord, one Adu Gyamfi.

She said two Police officers were therefore detailed to arrest Atapo for questioning.

Chief Inspector Tawiah said on September 21 around 0300 hours, the complainant together with some members of the Tabakrom Neighborhood Watch Committee led the Police to arrest the offender at his cottage in an uncompleted structure.

The Prosecutor said when the place was thoroughly searched in the presence of an independent witness they found a parcel of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed in a black polythene bag in his room.

She said when Atapo was questioned about the stuff he claimed ownership but refused to disclose his source of supply to the Police.

Chief Inspector Tawiah said when the exhibit was forwarded to the Police Forensic Science Crime Laboratory for examination, it indicated that it was Indian hemp.

She said after investigation the offender was charged with the offence.