Police bust Kumasi drug ring, arrest notorious peddler 'Con Papa' in major narcotics raid

The Ghana Police Service, through the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team (SOT), in partnership with the Ashanti Regional Police Command, has arrested multiple suspected drug peddlers during targeted operations in the Kumasi Metropolis.

The intelligence-led exercises led to the recovery of substantial quantities of suspected narcotic substances from locations identified as distribution and sale hubs.

Details of the security sweep were released by the Public Affairs Unit of the Police Regional Headquarters in Kumasi on June 25, 2026.

Major arrests and seizures across selected suburbs

During a major operation conducted in Asawase, police officers arrested 61-year-old Kwame Afriyie, alias "Con Papa", who is also known as "American Man".

A subsequent search of his room and provision shop resulted in the discovery and recovery of 33 and 48 parcels, respectively, of compressed substances suspected to be cannabis.

A separate raid carried out in Asafo, Kumasi, resulted in the arrest of Kofi Acheampong, alias "Mokobiley". Law enforcement personnel searched his room and uncovered 311 transparent rubber sachets containing dried leaves suspected to be narcotic substances, alongside 13 compressed parcels of dried leaves.

Officers also seized 10 brown paper wraps containing black rock-like substances suspected to be narcotics, in addition to quantities of restricted pharmaceutical products.

In a related raid in Krofrom, a 22-year-old National Service personnel member identified as Michael Owusu Agyeman was taken into custody. He was found in possession of 15 bottles of fruit juice suspected to have been laced with cannabis.

Additional suspects apprehended and remanded

Further sweeps carried out across Atonsu-Bokuro, Krofrom, Kenyase, Asokwa, Buokrom and Asafo BB led to the arrest of 10 additional suspects.

The police identified them as Adamu Ibrahim, 44; Stanley Boahene, 24; Favour Emmanuel, 23; Abubakar Sadick, 28; Adwoa Serwaa Boamah, 36; Paul Quagraine, 40; Nana Kwasi Amo Peprah, 47; Hamdiyah Ibrahim, 37; Nicholas Adorku, 39; and Natson Yaaba, 31.