The two out of the four individuals who were arrested after the Ghana Police Service and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) seized 1,195 boxes of tramadol hydrochloride 120mg, popularly called “Red,” at Gbintiri near Nalerigu, have each been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Nalerigu Circuit Court Presiding Judge, Justice Francis Asobayire, also imposed a fine of 5,000 penalty units each, equivalent to GH¢60,000. Under the charge arrangement, those who fail to pay will serve an additional 10 years in prison.

The convicts, Mumuni Iddrisu and Alhassan Braimah, were charged with unlawful possession of drugs. Reports indicate that the two were found with over 4,500 packs of the restricted substance, concealed in 25 five-litre yellow gallons and 100 boxes of tramadol.

They will serve their sentences at the Gambaga local prison. Meanwhile, investigators found the four other suspects, Yakubu Muntaka, Abdulai Shakur, Mumuni Yakubu, and Moses Ayorik, not guilty.

On Tuesday, September 23, the Ghana Police Service and the Narcotics Control Commission announced the seizure of 1,195 boxes of tramadol hydrochloride 120mg after the arrest of six individuals.

The seizure, according to the authorities, took place at Gbintiri, 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 Gbintiri from Sankase in the Republic of Togo. “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 Gbintiri 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 Gbintiri for onward delivery to another individual at Gushegu,” part of the statement read.

According to the statement, the apprehended individuals were in police custody, assisting investigations. The authorities revealed that efforts were underway to trace and arrest other individuals connected to the case.

Meanwhile, 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, 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 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, 4 cartons of Timaking Tapentadol 250mg, 190 cartons of Diazole Loperamide 2mg, and 320 cartons of Chlorpheniramine Maleate.

The drugs are 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.

He called on stakeholders and security agencies to confiscate any drugs brought in through the land borders. The Health Minister indicated that authorities would swiftly seek a court order for the proper disposal of the consignment. Following the court order, the consignment was destroyed.

Ghana is witnessing a surge in drug consumption and addiction among young people. As such, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, led by George Opare Addo, has introduced an initiative to address the rising issue of substance abuse among young people through a campaign called “Ghana Against Drugs (GAD) – Red Means Stop,” which aims to combat the problem effectively.

In a recent interview, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, revealed that a survey conducted on tertiary students discovered that about 28 out of every 100 university or college students abuse codeine and cough syrup.

On Thursday, August 28, he indicated that 12 in every 100 tertiary students are involved in cocaine abuse. The Minister further reported that 11% of the participants admitted to overusing heroin.

“Codeine and cough syrups stand at 28%. And then you will be amazed to know that 12% of our university and tertiary students are abusing cocaine and 11% heroin,” he added.

According to him, more than half of the respondents admitted to consuming marijuana-infused products. In July, Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, declared opioid abuse a national emergency.

During the induction of a new cohort of pharmacists joining the Pharmacy Council of Ghana, the inductees were charged to aid the government's efforts in combating the opioid crisis, particularly the misuse of tramadol.

Hon. Akandoh reminded the new pharmacists of their motto, “Amicus Humanis Generis” (Friends of the Human Race), urging them to uphold it with compassion, ethics, and excellence.The ceremony, held under the theme “The Future is Now: Young Pharmacists at the Forefront of Preventing Opioid Misuse in Ghana,” highlighted both the promise and responsibility that lie ahead for the nation’s newest healthcare professionals.

Hon. Akandoh described the event as a "special day" marking the beginning of a crucial professional journey. "You have reached this milestone through dedication, hard work, and perseverance," he said. The Minister emphasised the critical and evolving role of pharmacists in Ghana’s healthcare landscape, describing them as "frontline healthcare providers, educators, patient advocates, and guardians of public health."

He noted that pharmacists’ work has a direct impact on health outcomes and the well-being of the public. The Minister highlighted how pharmacists are central to the government’s broader health agenda, including the MahamaCares and Free Primary Health Care initiatives.

These programs, he said, rely on pharmacists to deliver accessible, quality healthcare and manage chronic diseases at the community level.

The Ministry of Health extended its congratulations to all newly inducted pharmacists and commended the Pharmacy Council for its unwavering commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery.In April, the Ministry of Health destroyed a significant consignment of illicit opioid-containing drugs that had entered Ghana under questionable circumstances.

The consignment, which consisted of 128 boxes of Tafrodol, 92 boxes of Timaking Tapentadol, and 10 boxes of Rahol Tapentadol, totaling 230 boxes, posed serious risks to public health, particularly due to the potential for widespread misuse and addiction among the youth.

The destruction of the drugs took place at Vigour-DW Enterprise, a waste management company based in Ashaiman, and was supervised by key regulatory and legal authorities.

The operation was carried out in strict compliance with a court order. In a rare and symbolic gesture, the Ministry chose to publicly incinerate the drugs, sending a strong message to those involved in the illegal drug trade.

Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, emphasized that this action was only the beginning in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

“We will not stop here. After the safe disposal of this consignment, we will further investigate the clearing agent and the importer, and hand them over to the Attorney General for prosecution,” he stated firmly.

A BBC Africa Eye investigation uncovered that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, based in Mumbai, has been producing unlicensed, highly addictive opioids that are illegally exported to West Africa.

These drugs, packaged to resemble legitimate medications, contain a dangerous combination of tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant banned in Europe due to its addictive properties.

This combination, which is not licensed for medical use anywhere in the world, can cause severe side effects, including respiratory distress, seizures, and fatal overdoses. Despite these risks, the drugs have gained popularity as cheap, readily available street substances in Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has condemned the illegal importation of dangerous opioids and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.

The Society urged multiple agencies—including the FDA, the Pharmacy Council, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, the Narcotics Control Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau—to probe the issue and hold those responsible accountable.

"If any local pharmaceutical company is found to have breached regulatory protocols, appropriate sanctions should be enforced to maintain the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain in Ghana," PSGH stated in a press release issued on February 24.

Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has revoked the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification of Aveo Pharmaceuticals, an Indian pharmaceutical company, after investigations linked it to the illegal distribution of opioid-based medications in West Africa.

As part of the crackdown, the FDA also directed Samos Pharma, a Ghana-based importer, to terminate all business relations with Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Westfin International. Additionally, the registration of six products from Masters Pharmaceutical Limited, which intended to use Aveo as a contract manufacturer, has been suspended.