­Two men are helping the police in their investigations after a truck travelling from Kpando to Ashaiman was intercepted at Frankadua in the Eastern Region, as it was found to be loaded with 527 parcels of compressed dried leaves suspected of being marijuana, concealed beneath a pile of wooden boards.

Although the driver of the truck with registration number GT 8280-24 and his mate fled the scene, two men who later claimed ownership of some items on board the truck were arrested.

The Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Akorli, told the Daily Graphic last Sunday, that the police operation, which led to the interception of the truck, followed a tip-off.

He said the suspects, Lawrence Osai, also known as Mandela, and Emmanuel Bullah, were placed in police custody while the Hyundai cargo vehicle was impounded.

DCOP Akorli said following the tip-off, a team of officers pursued the truck and caught up with it at Frankadua, as it was heading towards Ashaiman.

When the arresting team started interrogating the driver, he pretended the engine of the truck was overheating.

“In the course of getting water to refill the engine, the driver and mate bolted,” the regional police commander said.

He further said the vehicle was brought to the Volta Regional Police Headquarters in Ho, after which the two men turned up there to claim ownership of some of the items.

A search on the truck later revealed 240 imitation boards, 10 sacks containing the 527 compressed oval-shaped parcels containing dried leaves suspected to be marijuana.

DCOP Akorli said the contrabands, with a street value of GH¢210,800, were found under the boards covered with diapers and bags of detergents.

He said the suspects offered the policemen GH¢120, 000 to “kill the case”, but the arresting team rather seized the money as an exhibit in the matter.

The suspects, DCOP Akorli said, would be processed for court, while a manhunt for the fugitives was underway.

Meanwhile, investigators were set to contact the Forestry Commission to find out if the wood consignment on board the vehicle was covered by the appropriate documents, the regional commander told the Daily Graphic.