8 suspected Indian hemp dealers arrested

Page 48: Daily Graphic, July 22, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
EIGHT suspected dealers in Indian hemp have been arrested in two separate operations by the Accra Regional Police Command.
In the operations, 23 maxi bags of the leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and the truck into which it was packed were impounded.
The suspects are Emmanuel Akonortey, 29, the driver of the truck, and his mate, Alex Apetey, 23, who were both arrested on the Madina-Pantang road last Sunday after the police had declined their GH¢5,000 bribe.
The rest — Amidu Mahama, 20, Larkotey Lartey, 34, Mohammed Lamptey, 44, Samuel Armah, 48, Joseph Quartey, 28, and Kojo Baidoo, 20, were all arrested at Avenor in Accra yesterday.
Briefing newsmen after the arrests, the Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Rose Bio Atinga, said last Sunday night a snap check mounted by a team of police personnel intercepted the KIA truck, with registration number GW 3392 V, carrying fresh maize.
She said a thorough search revealed that Akonortey and Apetey had concealed 14 maxi bags of leaves suspected to be Indian hemp beneath the maize.
She said the suspects then offered GH¢5,000 for the police to set them free but they were arrested in the process.
Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed that they were coming from Ehiamankyene, near Begoro, and that they were to discharge the Indian hemp at Agbogbloshie and Ashaiman.
With regard to the Avenor arrest, she said the police had information that some persons had taken delivery of goods and were about disposing of them.
She said a team was immediately dispatched to the scene, resulting in the arrest of Amidu, Larkotey, Mohammed, Samuel, Joseph and Kojo.
DCOP Atinga said Larkotey, Mohammed and Samuel allegedly claimed ownership of the nine maxi bags of suspected Indian hemp, while Amidu, Joseph and Kojo were in the process of buying the leaves when they were arrested.