Greater Accra Police Bust 175 Narcotic Slabs GH¢30k Bribe
The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has arrested 2 suspects linked to transportation of suspected narcotic drugs after they allegedly attempted to bribe a senior police officer with GH¢30,000 at Accra. The suspects were picked up at the Regional Headquarters after claiming ownership of a Kia Rhino truck and 175 slabs of compressed leaves intercepted at Abofu near Achimota.
The operation was triggered on September 11, 2026 when officers of the Bravo SWAT Unit acting on intelligence traced a Kia Rhino truck with registration number GN 5581-13 at Abofu. The vehicle was travelling from Kpandai in the Oti Region and was suspected to be distributing narcotic substances in Accra. Occupants reportedly fled upon seeing police, abandoning the vehicle and its contents. A search revealed 175 compressed slabs of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs concealed in 3 sacks and 3 Ghana Must Go bags.
The truck and exhibits were conveyed to the Accra Regional Police Headquarters for further investigation. Later, 2 men identified as Mark Bangel, a trader residing in Kpandai, and Zakaria Arafat, a mechanic from Kpando in the Volta Region, appeared and allegedly claimed ownership of the vehicle and the substances. Investigators allege they attempted to influence the Bravo SWAT Unit Commander with GH¢30,000 to release the truck and exhibits. The cash was retrieved as evidence and the duo arrested.
Police sources indicate further investigations have uncovered a third accomplice identified only as Salam, who allegedly drove the consignment from Kpandai to Accra. Efforts are underway to apprehend him. The suspects remain in custody assisting investigations and will be put before court. According to the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, the command maintains zero tolerance for narcotics trafficking and bribery of officers on duty.
Under Ghana law, cultivation, transportation and distribution of narcotic drugs without lawful authority is prohibited under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 Act 1019. The Narcotics Control Commission licensing regime requires strict authorization for any controlled substance, while unlicensed possession attracts severe custodial sentences. Similar to Energy Commission licensing and CSSPS anti-bribery protocols, the law mandates intelligence-led swoops, forensic testing of suspected leaves at the Ghana Standards Authority and prosecution through the Attorney General Department.
The latest seizure adds to a renewed crackdown across Ghana. Recent operations saw 192 wraps seized in Wa, 866 parcels intercepted at Tema Port with street value of about 6.9 million dollars, and 3 suspects linked to international fugitive networks arrested after French Customs intercepted 3.9 tonnes of cocaine originating from Ghana. Security analysts say the Achimota interception highlights the Kpandai to Accra corridor as an emerging route.
Source: #Howedey.com
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Author: Korkor Anumu
