The police administration has promoted two of its officers for effecting the arrest of another officer carrying substances suspected to be marijuana which has been legalized in many countries for medicinal and recreational use but remains banned in some countries including Ghana.
The two officers promoted are Inspector Azumah Komla Justice and Cpl. Felix Diameh for arresting G/Sgt Lotsu Agbeko who got badly injured in an accident while running from his colleagues. He lost about three fingers in the process.
The incident is likely to reignite the debate about decriminalizing the use of wee or marijuana or Indian hemp or cannabis in Ghana as happening in many countries with Thailand being the latest.
Legal sales of marijuana are expected to top $33 billion by the end of 2022, according to a new study by MJBiz, a leading B2B cannabis industry resource which reported a 2021 total of $25 billion and estimates a 2026 annual sales to exceed $52 billion.
It was banned by drug law enforcement agencies across the world as a narcotic substance but legalized in recent years after its medicinal and recreational values were appreciated, and it has become one of the biggest money making industries albeit regulated.
But a statement from the Service said that “the Police Administration has promoted two officers, Inspector Azumah Komla Justice and No. 52543 G/L/CPL Felix Diameh for their role in effecting the arrest of No. 45638 G/Sgt Lotsu Agbeko, a police officer stationed at the Formed Police Unit (FPU) in Accra.”
A policeman from the Tesano police station in Accra was involved in an accident after he was given a hot chase by his colleagues in uniform.
The policeman, G/Sgt Lotsu Agbeko, who was in charge of his own Blue Black Toyota Corolla, with registration number GC 1069 – 09 failed to stop at a police checkpoint ostensibly because he was carrying the contraband.
The injured policeman was transporting dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp wrapped in parcel form.
The accident, which happened around the Kpeve mountains, saw the suspected policeman sustain injuries to his right hand.
“The above police officer was transporting the suspected Indian hemp from Have direction and failed to stop at Have police barrier when signalled by personnel on duty to do so. He attempted to escape but was given a hot chase by the personnel. On reaching a section of the road on Kpeve Mountain, he was involved in an accident and had a fracture on his left hand. 84 parcels of compressed dried leaves [were] found in his car boot,” police said in a statement.
The suspect was rushed to the Peki Government Hospital for treatment, where he is responding to treatment but under police guard.
Police have assured of further investigations into the matter and will update the public on further developments.
This arrest come few days after one Sergeant Isaac Sowah Nii of the Accra Regional Police Command was apprehended in uniform smoking a substance thought to be a narcotic drug, according to the Police Administration.
The police statement, said investigations are still ongoing, and the Sergeant will face disciplinary and judicial punishment.
In addition, in accordance with the new strategic police welfare programme, he would receive the required psycho-social care.
The public’s reaction to the viral video of a police officer smoking an unknown narcotic in public while wearing his uniform has been mixed.
Thailand became the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis but with a catch. Under decriminalization, it is no longer a crime to grow and trade marijuana and hemp products, or use parts of the plant to treat illnesses. But the recreational use of the drug remains illegal. The government further issued a stern warning for foreign tourists saying that don’t come to Thailand thinking you will get to smoke joints freely.
Tough penalties will still apply to those who use the drug to get high and warned against smoking joints, said Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, reported CNN.
“We still have regulations under the law that control the consumption, smoking or use of cannabis products in non-productive ways.” Under the Public Health Act, the penalty for smoking cannabis in public includes up to three months jail term and a USD 800 fine.
However, cafes and restaurants are allowed to serve cannabis-infused food and drinks, only if the products contain less than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Don’t come to Thailand to smoke joints freely: Government warns foreign tourist
“We (have always) emphasized using cannabis extractions and raw materials for medical purposes and for health,” Deputy Prime minister Anutin said. “There has never once been a moment that we would think about advocating people to use cannabis in terms of recreation — or use it in a way that it could irritate others.”
In particular, the minister had a stern warning for foreign tourists thinking of lighting up a joint in public, reported CNN.
“Thailand will promote cannabis policies for medical purposes. If [tourists] come for medical treatment or come for health-related products then it’s not an issue but if you think that you want to come to Thailand just because you heard that cannabis or marijuana is legal … (or) come to Thailand to smoke joints freely, that’s wrong.”
