Ho, Feb 22, GNA -The Police in the Volta Region have within the past two weeks impounded five mini buses carrying compressed slabs of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Alex Bedie, theVolta Regional Police Commander, told journalists on Friday that in all the five cases, the tightly-packed leaves were stashed in the side, door, floor, top linings and engine compartments of the buses.
He said two of the buses were intercepted at Have rpt Have, one each at Peki, Asikuma and Juapong.
The registration numbers of the vehicles are GT 5734-12, GE 4084-12, GB 3733-12, GN 3379-Y and GE 8533-12.
Mr Bedie said suspects had been arraigned at the courts and placed in prison custody.
They are Yeboah Faith, 30, Simon Kudzo Azinogo, 35, Mathew Ayittey, 26 and Senanyuie Prosper Kodzo, 28, all drivers of the buses.
ACP Bedie said in the case of vehicle number GN 3379-Y, the driver refused to stop when flagged down at the Juapong checkpoint, hit a policeman and smashed through the barricade.
He said the driver and the mate escaped, abandoning the vehicle.
ACP Bedie said the interceptions were as a result of tip-offs and the wit of his men and women.
He said the interceptions were indications that drug peddlers were getting more sophisticated and criminally innovative but warned that the police would strive to stay ahead of them.
Mr Bedie expressed dismay at the increasing spate of Indian Hemp interceptions in the region and appealed to parents to impress on their children to stay away from narcotic usage, trade and cultivation.
GNA