In a recent development in Accra, Emmanuel Mensah, a 56-year-old driver, found himself in legal turmoil when the Circuit Court handed him a fine of GH₵6,000 for being in unlawful possession of considerable quantities of narcotics.
Detailed reports revealed that Mensah had 45 meticulously wrapped foil packets of cocaine, which, when weighed, came to a total of 1.410 grams. In addition to this, he was found carrying 19 similarly wrapped packets of heroin, with a collective weight of 2.3634 grams.
When presented with the evidence and the gravity of his offenses, Mensah was left with little choice but to face the two prominent charges against him: unlawful possession of cocaine and heroin.
Displaying an understanding of his situation, he pleaded guilty to both offenses. Overseeing the proceedings, Judge Jojo Amoah Hagan took into account Mensah’s admission of guilt and subsequently delivered the verdict, convicting him as charged.
The repercussions of this conviction are not just limited to the hefty GH₵6,000 fine; should Mensah be unable to furnish this amount, he would be looking at an alternative sentence of 15 months in prison, marked by hard labor.
Shedding light on the background of this case, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Emmanuel Nyamekye, took the stand to provide a detailed account of the events leading up to Mensah’s arrest.
He pointed out that the officers who made the arrest were part of the specialized Drug Law Enforcement Unit stationed at the CID Headquarters in Accra. The arrest was the result of actionable intelligence. On the morning of March 2, 2023, precisely at 10:15 a.m., the officers, having been informed of suspicious activities, zeroed in on Mensah at Tudu, Accra, a location notorious for drug peddling.
A thorough search ensued, and the forensic analysis later confirmed the nature and quantity of the drugs in his possession. Further investigations revealed that Mensah resided at McCarthy Junction. The case serves as a stern reminder of the ongoing battle against drug-related offences in the region.
SOURCE: Myjoyonline
