NACOB to clamp down on commercial drivers who aid drug peddlers

The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has warned that it will soon clamp down on commercial drivers whose vehicles are used by drug peddlers to smuggle drugs.

According to NACOB, drivers found culpable will be arrested with their vehicles confiscated.

“The reason why we came here is to educated the drivers on how they should search any parcel they send to Accra, when someone wants to send any parcel to Accra the driver is supposed to see what is in, if not that and we get any information, we will arrest the driver and seize the vehicle, because the ignorant of the law is not an excuse so make sure you search the bags’, he advised.

The Acting Eastern Regional Narcotics Control Board Director, Emmanuel Nunoo said this in an interview with Ultimate news Kojo Ansah on Wednesday when the Community Anti – Drug Coalition of Fanteakwa (CADCOF) in collaboration with Eastern Regional Narcotics Control Board held a drug sensitization programme for drivers of Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) and drinking spot operators in Begoro in the Fanteakwa District of Eastern Region.

Many drug peddlers take advantage of security loopholes in the local transport system to smuggle drugs across the country under the pretext of passenger luggage.

Drivers have therefore been advised to be vigilant on luggage they transport by interrogating passengers on luggage they carry along and provide swift information to NACOB and Police if they are suspicious of any movements.

Eastern region has become a hub of marijuana cultivation and peddling.

Large consignments of drugs were seized last year from most parts of the region.

Community Anti-Drug Coalition of Fanteakwa (CADCOF) was formed on September 24, 2015 with the sole aim of reducing drastically drug peddling and drug abuse in Fanteakwa district.

According to the chairman of the Community Anti – Drug Coalition of Fanteakwa, Mr. Samuel Darfour, some drivers confine in alcohol, Indian hemp (Wee), ‘Asra’ and other hard drugs to keep them energized to work.

“The coalition saw how keen it is to educate the executives of the GPRTU including the drivers themselves so that they can desist from such acts,” Mr.Darfuor further cautioned.

Drinking spot operators desist from the production of “wee bitters ” popularly known as’ Laka ‘ which is produced by soaking marijuana in alcohol.