Tarkwa: The Tarkwa Circuit Court has fined a 23-year-old small-scale miner, Ibrahim Bansie, GHS 2,400 for the possession of narcotic drugs without authority. Bansie, who pleaded guilty, faces a 10-month prison term if he defaults on the fine.

According to Ghana News Agency, the prosecution was led by Chief Superintendent of Police Alex Odonkor. The court, presided over by Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu, heard that Bansie worked at the Akoon Community Mines but resided at the Tarkwa Railway station. The complainant in the case was a police officer stationed at the Tarkwa Railway police station.

On November 8, 2023, at around 8:10 am, the complainant was conducting foot patrols at the Railway station and entered a drinking bar where he found Bansie sitting alone in a cubicle. Chief Superintendent Odonkor stated that upon approaching Bansie, the officer noticed he was holding a polythene bag and demanded to know its contents.

The prosecution revealed that the officer requested the polythene bag and, upon inspection, discovered wraps of dried leaves, wraps of hard black substances, and sachets of Tramadol. Bansie was then arrested and taken to the Railway Police Station, along with the seized items. During interrogation, Bansie claimed that a person named Mistica had given him the polythene bag but did not assist the police in apprehending Mistica.

Chief Superintendent Odonkor confirmed that the exhibits were sent to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for examination. The forensic report indicated that the substances contained active ingredients in cannabis, and the green capsules were found to contain Tramadol. Following the investigation, Bansie was charged with the offence.