The suspects
Three people have been arrested with 156 bales of substances suspected to be Indian hemp at Assorku Barrier in the Shama Municipality and Nkroful Junction, in the Western Region.
The interception by the Western Regional Police Command occurred during routine checks when officers on duty stopped the vehicles for inspection.
The Kia trucks, with registration numbers GE 8965-12 and GS 3368-17, contained about 80 bales, with contents suspected to be Indian hemp.
Supt Olivia Ewurabena Adiku, Regional Police PRO, noted that one of the vehicles was initially intercepted on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the Assorku Barrier.
She disclosed that the truck was loaded with bags containing the substances and covered with sawdust.
She said the truck was travelling from the Accra direction towards Takoradi when it was intercepted, and three individuals on board managed to flee, but one person was arrested.
Supt Adiku explained that the arrest subsequently led to the interception of another vehicle at the Nkroful Junction, which was also loaded with the same substance.
She said two individuals who were onboard were arrested for attempting to bribe the police officers to secure the release of the first suspect, Moses Kweku Tawiah, 44, who had been arrested earlier at the Assorku Barrier.
Occupants of the vehicles, Kwabena Forson, 55, and Isaac Kwame Kontor, 44, attempted to bribe the police with GH¢69,000, but it was rejected.
“So far, the police have arrested three persons in connection with the operation. The trucks have since been offloaded.
“The police have commenced investigations, and if the suspects are found culpable, they will be arraigned before court,” she stated.
Supt Adiku issued a strong warning to individuals planning to engage in such illicit activities, emphasising that security officers remain highly alert on the roads.
“We are on high alert, and anybody who tries to pass through our corridors with this substance will be arrested and made to face the full rigours of the law.
“I want to commend our police officers; they were very alert on duty. If not for their vigilance, this truck with 152 bales would have passed to Côte d’Ivoire or wherever they were heading,” she added.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi