The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has delivered a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks with the seizure of 738 compressed parcels of suspected cannabis at the Swissport Terminal in Accra on July 5.

The substantial illicit consignment, meticulously hidden within 40 boxes falsely labelled as “assorted food items”, was on its way to the United Kingdom, highlighting the country’s persistent challenge as a transit point for illicit drugs bound for European markets.

This latest interception follows weeks of intensive intelligence gathering and surveillance by NACOC officials, a testament to their continuous efforts in disrupting sophisticated drug operations.

Two individuals have been apprehended in connection with the Swissport seizure and are currently assisting with investigations.

However, authorities have declared two other key suspects, Lincoln Nii OKAIJA (born March 27, 1979) and Kate DAVIDSON, alias “Esi”, as wanted persons, urging the public to provide any information that could lead to their capture.

The trafficking of cannabis remains a prevalent issue in Ghana.

According to NACOC’s 2022 statistics, the commission seized a record-breaking 59,900 kg of illicit drugs that year, a significant increase from 15,458 kg in 2021.

While cocaine seizures often dominate headlines, cannabis consistently features in large quantities due to its local cultivation and demand, as well as its role in international illicit trade routes.

In a related and equally impactful development, NACOC on June 24 conducted a major anti-narcotics operation across Akyem Oda and Akroso in the Eastern Region.

This targeted raid, the culmination of weeks of meticulous intelligence work and discreet surveillance on suspected individuals and businesses, resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects involved in the possession and distribution of illegal drugs.

As part of the stringent crackdown in the Eastern Region, NACOC officials shut down three licensed chemical stores found to be engaging in illicit activities.

These establishments were discovered to be selling unregistered and controlled substances without proper authorisation, a dangerous practice that fuels drug abuse within communities.

The operation yielded large quantities of illegal drugs and suspicious pharmaceutical products, including “red” (likely codeine-based cough syrup, a commonly abused substance in Ghana) and cannabis, among others.

Ghana has been actively collaborating with international partners, including the UK, to combat drug trafficking, recognising its transnational nature.

Such collaborations involve intelligence sharing, joint operations, and capacity building to dismantle criminal networks.

Penalties for drug trafficking in Ghana are severe, with the Narcotic Drugs (Control, Enforcement and Sanctions) Act of 1990 (PNDCL 236) stipulating a minimum of ten years imprisonment for offences related to possession, importation, or exportation of narcotic drugs without lawful authority.

NACOC officials have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to dismantling drug networks across the country.

They have appealed to residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious drug-related activities in their communities, emphasising that public cooperation is paramount to their success in ensuring a drug-free Ghana.

These recent operations underscore NACOC’s proactive stance in safeguarding public health and national security from the pervasive threat of illegal narcotics.

myjoyonline.com

A young girl whose name has been given as Fatima has been shot dead at the Fire Festival in Bimbilla, within the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region.

According to a reporter with Beat FM, Mohammed Abdul-Rashid Natogmah, Fatima, a year two student of the Bimbilla Senior High School, was hit by a stray bullet while a procession was moving from the regent’s palace to the Wampu Dam, where the fire was to be thrown.

READ ALSO: Stray bullet kills Nkwanta SHS student in Oti Region

Mr Natogmah said they were at the palace when they heard someone had been hit by a bullet, adding that they moved to the hospital to confirm the incident.

“I was at the palace when we heard the incident, so we rushed to the hospital, and the dead body was brought to the hospital. I even helped in removing the dead body,” he narrated.

Mr Natogmah said a young lady, assumed to be a friend of Fatima, who was part of the team that accompanied the body to the hospital, said they had sneaked out of the house to the festival because their parents had asked that they should not attend the festival.

“When we asked, the lady told us the girl was from one area called Bayawaya in Bimbilla, and the name is Fatima. She said before they came out, the parents didn’t want them to come out, so they hid and sneaked to the scene,” he said.

Mr Natogmah said the source of the shot remains unknown, and the police have yet to commence investigations into the incident.

The Regent of Bimbilla, Nyelimbolgu Naa Yakubu Andani II, had cautioned against any acts that could mar the beautiful celebration.

He emphasised that the celebration held significant importance for the area and urged the youth to conduct themselves with decorum.

myjoyonline.com

Four passengers are currently receiving treatment at the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital after suspected armed robbers opened fire on a commercial vehicle at Buduatta Junction along the Kasoa-Winneba Highway. One of the assailants has been arrested by the police.

The attack occurred at dawn around 1:00am when the robbers blocked the highway and began robbing commuters at gunpoint.

A Toyota Hiace minibus, which was carrying passengers, came under fire when the driver attempted to stop.

Four passengers sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.

Police say this is part of a pattern of armed robberies in the Gomoa East District, particularly between May and June this year, with victims previously attacked around Potsin Junction and Okyereko Junction.

Due to increased police checkpoints in those areas, the robbers are suspected to have relocated their operations to Buduatta Junction.

According to the Central East Regional Police Command, officers from the Formed Police Unit (FPU) and the Kasoa Divisional SWAT team responded swiftly to the scene.

The wounded passengers were rushed to the hospital, and the affected vehicle was escorted to the Dominase District Police Command.

While returning from the operation, officers encountered two suspicious individuals near the Onion Market around 2:30 a.m. One fled into the bush, but the other was arrested.

Upon search, three mobile phones belonging to the passengers were found on him, and he was positively identified by both the driver and some of the passengers.

The arrested suspect has since been transferred to the Central East Regional Police Command for further interrogation, while all four victims remain hospitalised.

Meanwhile, officers at the Gomoa Dominase District Police Command have raised concerns about inadequate resources.

They say the station lacks vehicles and sufficient personnel to effectively combat the increasing robberies in the area.

They are appealing to the government and the Inspector General of Police to urgently address these challenges to help safeguard lives and property.

myjoyonline.com