Two of the three arrested suspects captured in photo
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has arrested three suspects following an intelligence-led operation that uncovered what authorities describe as a fully operational cannabis production and distribution hub in the Volta Region.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 22, 2026, NACOC said the overnight operation targeted a network operating across Koleonu, Wegbe, and Akplamafu, where cannabis was allegedly cultivated, processed, and distributed from a central location.
According to the Commission, a tactical operations team conducted a raid on the facility, leading to the arrest of three principal suspects who are currently in custody and assisting with investigations.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the facility was being used not only for cannabis cultivation but also for the production of hashish oil, a highly concentrated cannabis extract, and the distribution of narcotic substances,” a graphic report on the bust on June 22, 2026, stated.
NACOC said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law while investigations continue to identify other individuals connected to the operation and trace the supply routes linked to the network.
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The Commission noted that the discovery of hashish oil suggests a more sophisticated operation than the cultivation and storage of cannabis alone. It explained that the production of hashish oil involves additional processing techniques and points to a higher level of organisation within the illicit drug trade.
According to NACOC, this is the first operation in its 2026 anti-cannabis campaign in the Volta Region to result in arrests.
The development follows an earlier operation conducted on May 31, 2026, at Gbi-Wegbe near Hohoe, where officers seized 2,372.38 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis from a farmhouse and warehouse. The Commission estimated the street value of the drugs at GH¢1,186,190. No arrests were made during that operation.
The Volta Region has long been identified by NACOC as one of Ghana's major cannabis cultivation zones.
Speaking earlier this year, Deputy Director-General of NACOC, Alexander Twum-Barimah, disclosed that a significant portion of cannabis cultivated in the region is trafficked to Nigeria and other countries rather than sold on the local market.
NACOC said the latest arrests should serve as a strong warning to individuals involved in the illegal drug trade and reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling narcotics networks across the country.
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