55-year-old man sentenced for peddling drugs in Wa

The Wa Circuit Court has handed down a conviction and sentence to a 55-year-old businessman for the illegal possession and trafficking of restricted drugs without a license, a violation of section 110 of the Health Professionals’ Regulatory Bodies Act.

The decision came after the accused, Seidu Alhassan, pleaded guilty to trafficking highly restricted milligrams of tramadol and engaging in the unlicensed sale of foreign cigarettes to consumers.

Police prosecutors, led by ACP Albert Adiita, presented the case at the Wa Circuit court, presided over by Jonathan Avogo. They explained that Seidu Alhassan was apprehended at his hideout on April 24, 2024, following extensive police intelligence.

During a search of his premises, law enforcement officials discovered 20 boxes of 120mgs of tramadol, 4 boxes of 225mg of tramadol, and various boxes of Timaking, another restricted drug. Additionally, 2 boxes and 8 bundles of cigarettes were found.

Section 110 (1)b of the Health Professionals Regulatory Bodies Act, Act 857, 2013 explicitly prohibits the sale of restricted drugs like tramadol without a valid license.

According to the law, engaging in the sale of restricted drugs constitutes an offense punishable upon summary conviction by a fine ranging from two thousand to five thousand penalty units, or a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.