217 Arrests, 165 Prosecutions, 8.5 tonnes Drugs Seizure: NACOC gives breakdown of drug busts in 16 months

The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has disclosed that the commission has recorded 217 arrests, secured 165 prosecutions, and seized more than 8.5 tonnes of narcotic drugs between 2025 and April 2026.

Providing a breakdown of the commission's operations during the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday, June 26, 2026, Brigadier General Mantey said NACOC also intercepted millions of tramadol tablets and recovered assets linked to organised crime.

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"Between 2025 and April 2026, NACOC recorded 217 arrests, 165 prosecutions, and seized over 8.5 tonnes of narcotic drugs. We also recovered and restrained assets linked to organised crime. The commission seized 25.3 million tramadol tablets in 2025, and as I speak, we have already clocked 20.1 million tramadol tablets," he said.

He noted that the commission had seized a total of 45.4 million tramadol tablets in less than 16 months, warning that the quantity could have had devastating consequences if it had reached the public.

"Let me quickly add that the 45.4 million tramadol tablets seized in less than 16 months, if distributed, is enough opioid doses to medicate every man, woman, and child in Ghana. That is what is trying to enter our communities," he stated.

Brigadier General Mantey also disclosed that 1,179 people received treatment and counselling for substance abuse, with 50.5% of the cases related to cannabis.

He also disclosed that 16.1% of the treatment cases were cocaine-related, while alcohol-related and opioid-related cases accounted for 14.9% and 14.6%, respectively.

"In 2025, 1,179 individuals received treatment and counselling through 30 treatment centers nationwide. Treatment data shows that 50.5% of cases were related to cannabis, 16.1% were cocaine related, 14.9% were alcohol related, and 14.6% were opioid related," he said.

He added that most of those who sought treatment were between the ages of 20 and 44, describing the trend as worrying because it affects Ghana's productive workforce.

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"85.8% of clients were aged between 20 and 44, and that is Ghana's workforce. That is the generation that will build this country or be lost to it," he added.

MAG/VPO

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