Over 8,500kg of narcotics seized in 20 months – Muntaka

Between January 2025 and July 2026, Ghana's Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak reported that over 8,500 kilograms of narcotics and approximately 45.4 million tramadol tablets were seized, according to a Government Accountability Series on August 24. These seizures were a part of the government's intensified efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and abuse. The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), working with the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies, conducted these operations.

In a statement, Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak praised NACOC's Director-General and his team for their "bold and decisive" approach to tackling the illicit drug trade. The operations led to 217 arrests and 165 prosecutions against suspected offenders. Beyond arresting users and traffickers, the government's strategy involved identifying and targeting assets suspected to have been gained through illicit drug trade. As a result, 73 assets were traced to suspected drug-related activities.

Security agencies also seized around 19 kilograms of gold in cases related to drug money laundering, in addition to approximately GH¢6.9 million and US$440,000 in cash allegedly connected to individuals involved in drug trafficking. The Minister further highlighted synthetic drugs as an emerging challenge, stating that NACOC intensified enforcement and public education efforts to address the growing threat.