An Accra Circuit Court has granted bail to 13 individuals, each required to post GH₵50,000.00 bail with one surety, for allegedly possessing a substance suspected to be narcotic drugs without lawful authority. All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The accused individuals include Ethel Anaab, a 28-year-old trader; Daniel Tetteh Botchway, a 52-year-old farmer; Kofi Nti, a 29-year-old driver; and Benette Adjei, a 28-year-old Chef. Others are Owuraku Agyemang, Joshua Odamtten, Isaac Boateng, Kofi Stephen Appiani, Roger Abeku Danso Mensah, Dennis Laryea, Ernest Ekuban, and Melvin Nortey, with ages ranging from 20 to 40 years, and various occupations including unemployed, trader, and physiotherapist.
The accused persons are jointly charged with unlawful possession of narcotic plants, with Anaab alleged to have possessed 118 wraps of plants suspected to be narcotic drugs for trafficking.
Presiding over the case, Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah adjourned proceedings to May 8, 2024. The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Maxwell Oppong, stated that the complainants and witnesses were personnel of the Ghana Military Police stationed at Burma Camp, Accra.
The prosecution revealed that the accused persons resided at La Palm-Wine junction, a suburb of Accra and that there was a spot near La Villas at Burma Camp notorious for narcotic peddling, frequented by individuals from the La township.
On March 22, 2024, at approximately 1400 hours, the complainant and witnesses received intelligence that the accused persons had gathered at the spot, peddling and using narcotic substances. Subsequently, a swoop was organized, leading to the arrest of the accused persons. Anaab was found with 118 wraps of substances suspected to be narcotics, while the others were found with smoking quantities of similar substances.
During the operation, a black polythene bag containing similar substances was also discovered. The accused persons, along with the confiscated substances, were handed over to the La Police for further action. The prosecution informed the court that efforts were underway to have the suspected narcotic substances tested, while the case remained under investigation.
