Galamsey operator jailed for 10 years
A Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced James Essien, a 41-year old galamsey operator, to ten years imprisonment in hard labour for possessing Indian hemp.
He pleaded guilty and is to re-appear before the court on October 18.
Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Mr Samuel Obeng Diawuo that, on November 24, 2010, the Tarkwa Divisional Police received information that the accused person was dealing in narcotic drugs at his Kadadwen residence.
He said the Police proceeded to the place where they met the accused person and a search conducted at the place revealed some dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, a five gallon container filled with Akpeteshie and ten half filled bottles of alcoholic drinks.
Chief Inspector Amponsah said James Essien claimed ownership of the substance adding that he got the supply from some people from Sefwi and sells them to galamsey operators at Kadawen.
The Prosecutor said a report from the Criminal Investigation
Department crime laboratory revealed that the dried leaves was cannabis weighting 22.0 grams, the container contained Indian hemp weighting 9,400ml and the ten half filled bottles also contained cannabis weighting 400ml each.
Source: GNA