The Circuit Court in Ho has ordered the destruction of a large consignment of compressed cannabis seized from three accused persons who were arrested at Keta-Azizadzi in December 2022.
The court gave the directive on Tuesday for the packages to be burnt under strict police supervision, following submissions by the prosecution that the substances had been confirmed by laboratory tests as cannabis containing Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
The order comes as part of an ongoing trial involving Yao Kwadzo alias “Walako”, Kojo Phish alias Philemon Phyzh Sabbah, and Raymond Tetefezdie, who are facing multiple counts of unlawful possession and use of vehicles for narcotic offences, contrary to the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019).
According to the amended charge sheet presented by the Attorney-General’s Department, the three were arrested around 2:00 a.m. on 6th December 2022 at Keta-Azizadzi while driving three trucks loaded with compressed cannabis concealed in fertilizer sacks.
A total of 213 sacks containing 17,030 parcels were found in DAF Truck No. GN 4448-22, allegedly driven by Yao Kwadzo; 207 sacks containing 16,554 parcels in DAF Truck No. GN 7448-22, allegedly driven by Kojo Phish; and 180 sacks containing 13,947 parcels in Hyundai Truck No. GS 8971-22, allegedly driven by Raymond Tetefezdie.
The prosecution told the court that the exhibits, valued at over GH¢1 million, were handed over to the Regional Drug Law Enforcement Unit for investigation, where tests confirmed the substances to be cannabis without lawful authorization.
A DVLA investigation also revealed that the two DAF trucks belonged to Rexford Kofi Aboah, while the Hyundai truck was owned by Winfred Akumah.
The owners have since been charged before the same court.Assistant State Attorney Joseph Opusumah, who signed the amended charge sheet dated March 5, 2024, noted that the destruction of the narcotic exhibits was necessary to prevent tampering, contamination or re-circulation.
The case has been adjourned for continuation.by Wisdom Sedoameda.
