Cultivation of Indian hemp on the increase in Asante-Akim

Agogo (Ash), July 18, GNA - The cultivation of Indian hemp popularly known as 'wee' seems to be gaining grounds in Asante-Akim despite the strenuous efforts by the police to curb the menace. Barely one month after the Juaso police had grabbed a 28-year-old farmer for cultivating three hectares of Indian hemp amidst some vegetables, the police at Agogo have arrested another suspect for a similar offence at Pewodie, a farming community near Agogo. This time the suspect, Walayire Wansa, 45, inter-cropped the narcotic drug with maize, rice and pepper on a one-and-half hectare farm to outwit the police.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Cosmos Damoah, Agogo District Police Commander, briefing newsmen, said the farm was discovered through the investigations of his outfit, having resolved to clamp down on the practice, which was on the upsurge in the area. He said the suspect was arrested on July 11, during an early dawn swoop.

According to ASP Damoah, the suspect claimed ownership of the farm but insisted he cultivated the plant for his own consumption and not for commercial purposes.

The suspect, who was arraigned before the Juaso Circuit Court on July 12 on a provisional charge of cultivating narcotic drugs, has since been remanded to re-appear on July 27.