Farmer jailed for dealing in Indian hemp

Asamankese (E/R), Nov.24, GNA- Kwaku Ahato, a farmer at Kyebi Zongo near Asamankese in the Eastern Region, has been sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment in hard labour for possessing Indian hemp by Asamankese Magistrate's court.

Aheto, who pleaded guilty, additionally ordered to pay 2.5 million cedis or in default serve additional three years in jail.

Detective Police Inspector K.A Boateng, told the court that police had information on August 27, this year, that Aheto was selling Indian hemp in his house at Kyebi Zongo.

A team of policemen with an emergency search warrant, searched the premises of the accused and a quantity of the dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp was found.

The prosecution said accused claimed ownership and stated that he did not sell the stuff but smoked it to gain strength. When the exhibit was sent to the police crime laboratory in Accra for examination, the result proved positive as Indian hemp, which weighed 310 grammes.