A 19-year-old illegal miner, Enoch Buamah, has been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in hard labour by the Tarkwa District Court One for stealing a bag of alligator pepper.
He pleaded guilty and begged the court, presided over by Mr. Charles Owusu Nsiah, for mercy.
Inspector of Police Patrick Essien, who led the prosecution, told the court that Fuseini Amadu, the complainant, was a farmer and lived at Kofi Gyan in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality.
He said that in December 2024, the complainant harvested his alligator pepper and dried it on a mat at his farm cottage in Kofi Gyan.
On December 12, 2024, while the complainant was away, Buamah, who resided in the same vicinity, went to his cottage with an empty fertilizer bag and stole the alligator pepper, valued at GH¢600.
Upon returning, the complainant discovered that his produce had been stolen and contacted local community announcers to make an announcement about the theft.
Following the announcement, the complainant received a tip-off that Buamah had been seen carrying a fertilizer bag from his farm cottage on the day in question.
Inspector Essien said the complainant informed the unit committee task force, who traced and arrested Buamah with the fertilizer bag filled with alligator pepper.
The accused was handed over to the Aboso police, along with the exhibit, and a formal complaint was lodged.
ALSO READ: