The Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a 51-year-old bartender to 13 years’ imprisonment for possessing different quantities of cannabis.

Robert Ashong alias Tee Quaye was convicted on two counts of unlawful control of narcotic drugs.

The court, presided over by Christina Cann, sentenced him to 13 years on each count, with an additional fine of GH¢180,000 per count.

In default of payment, he would serve an additional three years in jail. However, the sentences will run concurrently, the judge ruled.

Mr Ashong was arrested on August 31, 2022, at a drinking spot known as “Otanfo Nye Nyame” at Osu-Nyaniba Estates in Accra, where police retrieved various substances suspected to be narcotics.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kofi Anane, prosecuting, said the complainants were police officers stationed at the Drug Law Enforcement Unit, Criminal Investigations Department headquarters, Accra.

At 1245 hours on August 31, 2022, acting on intelligence, officers arrested Ashong at his drinking spot.

Further searches at the spot and in his room led to the discovery of four white containers labeled “BROTHERS CO. LTD” which contained plant material, a black polythene bag, fertiliser sack, and white polythene bag with suspected narcotics and a four-liter gallon and a plastic bottle containing alcoholic beverages suspected of being laced with narcotic drugs.

During interrogation, Ashong confessed to the crime in his cautioned statement, naming one Charles from Keta in the Volta Region as his supplier.

However, he failed to assist the police in apprehending Charles.

The exhibits were forwarded to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for analytical examination.

On January 6, 2023, the test report confirmed the seized items as cannabis, leading to Ashong’s trial and conviction.