Tema wee bitters producer caged

A 38-YEAR-OLD man identified as the main producer and distributor of the narcotic-laced bitters popularly called Atemuda in the Tema Metropolis has been remanded into police custody by the Circuit Court B in Tema.

Suspect Evans Dadzie, a resident of Community 9, Tema and a drinking spot operator was arrested by the Tema Police for unlawful possession of narcotic drugs after a case of assault was lodged against him by his wife.

Although his plea was not taken in the court presided over by Mrs. Mariama Sambo, prosecution pleaded with the court to remand the accused into police custody to permit ample time for further investigation into the case.

The prosecution is awaiting the result of the forensic test conducted on the dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and the concoction prepared by the accused as bitters.

The suspect is also facing trial for allegedly assaulting his wife and he is under investigations by the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Tema.

Prosecuting officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Stanley Dzakpasu narrated to the court that on November 4, 2015 at about 4:00 am, police personnel were dispatched to the house of the accused person after his wife lodged complaint of assault against him.

According to him, police upon arrival smelled the scent of an Indian hemp in the house of the accused and started to conduct search.

The search conducted by police in the premises of the accused led to the discovery of two buckets full of narcotic-laced bitters and dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were also retrieved in two sacks hidden in the house, he stated.

DSP Dzakpasu said the suspect was immediately arrested for unlawfully possessing narcotic drugs and sent to the police station for further questioning.

He said the accused admitted ownership of the substances in his cautioned statement.