An Accra Circuit Court on Friday handed a ten-year jail term each to two persons charged with possessing narcotic drugs without lawful authority.
Benjamin Aryeh, a refrigerator mechanic and one Joyce Obiri were convicted for possessing 23 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be a narcotic drug (Indian hemp).
They pleaded not guilty to the charges but were convicted after trial by the court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh and sentenced them to 10 years imprisonment each in hard labour.
In sentencing, the court said it took into consideration the number of months spent in custody and their plea for mitigation.
Earlier the prosecution, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Patience Mario told the court that the Kwabenya Police received information about the activities of some drug peddlers at Haatso.
She said the police mounted surveillance on them and on October 23, 2015, at about 0700 hours, the convicts were arrested with 23 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drug concealed in a travelling bag.
The prosecution said on interrogation, the two claimed ownership of the substance and mentioned one Agbeko of Kpalime in Togo as the person who sent it to them but could not lead the police to the said sender.
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