Narcotics worth about GH₵2.5 million have been destroyed by the Northern Regional Command of the Narcotics Control Commission.

This, according to the Substance Control Authority, forms part of the government’s intensified efforts to promote public safety and check the infiltration of unauthorised drugs in the region.

The drugs were held at the Registry of the Circuit Court in Tamale and later destroyed after the prosecution of the persons involved in the trafficking of the drugs, following a court order issued by His Honour Francis Ayamwuni Asobayire, Circuit Court Judge.

NACOC destroyed boxes of Tafrado 120mg, blisters of Tramadol, boxes of Royal 225mg, as well as quantities of marijuana at the Gbalahi Landfill site near Tamale, which was witnessed by representatives of various state agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, and members of the media.

Mr Issahaque Bakuri, Northern Regional Commander of the Narcotics Control Commission, said the disposal formed part of measures to curb the smuggling and abuse of illicit drugs in the country.

“We are taking frantic measures to combat drug abuse and promote a healthier society in the region and the country at large,” he said.

To prevent further smuggling of such prohibited drugs into the country, Mr. Bakuri indicated that security officers had been stationed at entry points across the region, and intensified efforts have been made to enhance security surveillance at both approved and unapproved entry routes to address the drug menace.

Mr. Bakuri urged individuals battling drug addiction to seek counselling and rehabilitation services.

More than 11 nationwide intelligence-led swoops have been conducted between March and December this year by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), aimed at cracking down on illicit drug activities.

Speaking to the media on Friday, December 19, the Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations at NACOC, PNCO Francis Opoku Amoah, indicated that during that period, the swoops were carried out in areas such as:

“From March till now, we have conducted more than 11 swoops, which, in our line of work, is a good number because investigations take time. For us to have achieved this means we are doing well.

“This year, we have carried out swoops in Fadama, Effiakuma in the Western Region, Atinkpoko, parts of the Ashanti Region, and other areas. It all depends on where the intelligence is coming from and the type of intelligence we receive,” he said.

In September, 1,195 boxes of Tramadol Hydrochloride 120mg, locally known as ‘Red,’ were confiscated, with six individuals arrested following a joint operation by the Ghana Police Service and NACOC. The seizure took place at Gbintri, near Nalerigu in the North East Region, on Thursday, September 18.

This information was contained in a statement signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Robert Anabiik Anmain of the Public Affairs Unit and issued by the North East Regional Police Command on September 21.

The trucks, with registration numbers GR 1712-16 and AW 4417-14, were loaded with Tramadol en route to Gbintri from Sankase in the Republic of Togo.

The suspects have been identified as Alhassan Braimah, Yakubu Muntaka, Abdulai Shakur, Mumuni Iddrisu, Mumuni Yakubu, and Moses Ayorik.

“The North East Regional Police Command, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in Nalerigu, has intercepted 1,195 boxes of Tramadol Hydrochloride 120mg, popularly known as ‘Red,’ a restricted drug concealed in a truck, and arrested six suspects at Gbintri near Nalerigu in the North East Region.

“A search of the trucks uncovered the 1,195 boxes of Tramadol Hydrochloride 120mg, popularly known as ‘Red,’ concealed among other goods in the truck with registration number GR 1712-16. The exhibits have since been secured for evidential purposes.

During interrogation, the suspects admitted that the consignment was destined for Moses Ayorik at Gbintri for onward delivery to another individual at Gushegu,” part of the statement read.

According to the statement, the apprehended individuals are in police custody, assisting with investigations. In addition, efforts are underway to trace and arrest other individuals connected to the case.

Officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the Transit Terminal, on Thursday, June 19, intercepted a shipment disguised as general merchandise and headed for Niger. The officials uncovered 100 cartons of Tramadol (50 of 250mg and 50 of 120mg), also known on the streets as “Red.”

The operation, led by CRO William Kpodo and the monitoring team, has now been escalated to the Tema Collection’s Investigation Unit, in collaboration with the Narcotics Board, Port Security, and the Joint Port Control Unit (JPCU).

In March, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division intercepted contraband goods at Tema Port. Boxes containing opioids were confiscated before noon.

There were 26 cartons of Rahol Tapentadol 250mg, 160 cartons of Tafradol Tapentadol 120mg, 40 cartons of Timaking Tapentadol 120mg, four cartons of Timaking Tapentadol 250mg, 190 cartons of Diazole Loperamide 2mg, and 320 cartons of Chlorpheniramine Maleate.

The drugs were worth approximately GH₵20 million. The shipment was en route to Niger, its final destination. Engaging the media, Health Minister Mintah Akandoh condemned the use of land borders to smuggle drugs, and announced that the impounded consignment would remain in the safe custody of the Authority.

"There are only two designated areas for the import and export of medication: Tema Port and Kotoka International Airport. Drugs are not imported through our land borders," he said.