A 50-year-old commercial driver, Atampugri Akanyani, has been nabbed by the police after 714 slabs of suspected Indian hemp were found in his possession.

The slabs which were hidden in nine nylon sacks were discovered during a routine snap check by police officers at the Asanso checkpoint along the Bekwai–Aputogya road on Tuesday, January 26, 2026.

Atampugri Akanyani disclosed that an unknown individual at the Kejetia Lorry Terminal in Kumasi handed over the suspected Indian hemp to him for delivery, at a fee of six hundred Ghana cedis, to another unidentified person in Obuasi.

Meanwhile, Atampugri Akanyani has since been arraigned before the court. Last year, 600 fertiliser sacks of Indian hemp, weighing a total of 47,530kg and valued at about GH¢4.2 billion, were destroyed by the Volta Regional Police Command.

The destruction exercise, which occurred on Monday, November 17, was carried out pursuant to an order from the Ho Circuit Court. This information was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, November 20, and signed by Chief Inspector Francis Kwaru Gomado, Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Volta Region.

Parts of the statement read, “the six hundred sacks contained a total of forty-seven thousand, five hundred and thirty kilograms (47,530kg) with an estimated face value of about 4.2 billion Ghana cedis.”

In August 2025, the Central East Regional Police Command arrested two suspects in possession of 519 compressed parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp.

The suspects, identified as Eric Nkyeke, 30, and Francis Klu, 28, were held in police custody. The Toyota Hilux pick-up with registration number GS 6849-21 was impounded at Nyanyano in the Gomoa East District.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the Nyanyano District police command. In June, the police nabbed two suspects for having in their possession 84 parcels of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

The police team, through an intelligence-led operation on June 15, intercepted an Opel Astra vehicle with registration number GT 6430-13 driven by suspect John Dzeble, together with suspect Adzobi Mesiwotso on board.

A search conducted on the vehicle revealed 86 compressed parcels of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, discreetly concealed in the inner compartments of the car, including the engine, doors, and boot.

In addition to the compressed parcels, the officers retrieved a portable measuring scale machine and a roll of masking tape, also concealed, believed to have been used in the packaging of the substancesThe suspects, along with the exhibits, are currently in Police custody, assisting with investigations.

The Oti Regional Police Command has commended the swift and professional action of the personnel involved in the arrest and reaffirmed its commitment to curbing drug trafficking and related criminal activities.

The arrest comes after a recent incident where the police captured one Christopher Partey for unlawful possession of 40 parcels of a substance suspected to be narcotic drugs.

The National Highway Patrol Unit of the Ghana Police Service arrested on Wednesday, June 11.

The team intercepted a Ford Transit bus with registration number AS 524-16 near the outskirts of Ayikuma township while on routine patrol along the Accra–Somanya corridor.

A search of the vehicle revealed 40 tightly wrapped parcels concealed in a fertilizer sack in the vehicle’s boot. Upon interrogation, Christopher Partey, a passenger on board, admitted ownership of the items.

The exhibits retrieved have been handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Unit at the Police Headquarters for further investigation.

The suspect is currently in police custody, assisting investigations, and will be put before the court. In April, a total of 189 Cadets were officially inducted into service to support Ghana’s ongoing efforts to combat narcotic drug trafficking and related crimes.

The induction, held at the Eastern Naval Command, marked a significant collaboration between the Leadership Training School (LTS) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).

The event, which featured the ceremonial swearing of an oath of allegiance, signified the commitment of the new recruits to serve the nation with dedication and uphold the values of integrity and national security.

The training, led by the Commanding Officer of LTS, is designed to build the capacity of cadets by focusing on the fundamentals of narcotics law and enforcement.

The course places particular emphasis on confidence-building, professional discipline, and a thorough understanding of legal procedures necessary for their roles in narcotics control.

As part of the induction, NACOC leadership underscored the importance of adherence to institutional rules and the responsible handling of classified information.

The Commission reiterated its mission to disrupt the narcotics trade and act as a stabilizing force in communities vulnerable to the influence of drug-related activities.

NACOC reaffirmed its commitment to making Ghana an unattractive hub for drug trafficking, prioritizing public safety and the protection of the nation’s borders.

Calls have also been made for increased government support to enhance the Commission’s operational capacity, including the recruitment of additional personnel and the provision of improved financial and logistical resources.

The new cadets are expected to play a key role in reinforcing the Commission’s enforcement operations across the country.