Informant demanded $20 million from NACOC for information on major drug consignment – Muntaka
The Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has revealed that an informant recently demanded US$20 million from the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in exchange for information that could lead to what he described as a “huge” drug bust.
Ghana's Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, disclosed on Monday that an informant had demanded US$20 million from the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) for information that could potentially lead to a significant drug bust. The informant's unreasonable request, given the commission's limited budget, prompted Muntaka to appeal to the public for assistance in providing credible intelligence without imposing excessive financial conditions.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Muntaka emphasized that the government is prepared to compensate informants with credible intelligence but stressed that such payments must be reasonable and within the financial capacity of the institutions involved. The minister cited a recent case where an individual approached the NACOC Director, offering to lead the commission to a major drug consignment in exchange for US$20 million.
Muntaka questioned how NACOC could meet such a demand, considering the commission’s budget and financial resources. The incident highlighted the challenges authorities face in obtaining intelligence from the public, despite its critical role in crime prevention and suspect apprehension. The minister assured that the government is open to compensating informants whose information leads to criminal activity, provided they agree to reasonable compensation.
However, he urged the public to recognize that law enforcement agencies operate with limited resources and cannot meet every financial demand. Ghana has made progress in identifying and arresting people involved in drug-related offences due to cooperation with international partners and improved capabilities to trace suspects. Muntaka attributed the advancements to the work of relevant agencies and their international counterparts in identifying and pursuing drug traffickers through the justice system.
The minister cautioned against assuming Ghana could tackle drug trafficking independently, emphasizing the need for coordinated response among countries through intelligence sharing and collaboration. He urged the public to adopt the principle of reporting suspicious activity, stating that credible information from citizens, combined with international cooperation and resourceful use, remains vital to Ghana's drug trafficking efforts.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
