Narcotics Control Commission destroys drugs worth US$10.3m

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has publicly destroyed a substantial haul of seized illicit drugs valued at approximately US$10.3 million. The exercise took place on November 5 at the Bundase Infantry Training School in the Greater Accra Region. Conducted under a court order, the operation aimed to ensure that the confiscated substances are permanently removed from circulation and cannot re-enter the illegal market.

The destroyed narcotics included a diverse range of substances that had been intercepted during various operations across the country. According to commission records, the haul consisted of 564.39 kilograms of cannabis with an estimated street value of US$112,878, approximately 4,730,100 synthetic opioid capsules and tablets valued at US$5.9 million, and 338,000 bottles of codeine-infused cough syrup worth about US$4.2 million. Before the destruction, the Ghana Standards Authority conducted rigorous verification tests to confirm the nature and quantity of the substances.

Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, the Director-General of NACOC, emphasized that the destruction exercise was a critical step in the commission’s strategy to disrupt drug supply chains. He noted the importance of transparency in the process, highlighting the collaboration with various partner institutions to oversee the operation. This public action comes amid heightened scrutiny of Ghana’s role in international drug trafficking, following a recent significant narcotics seizure in Lebanon that was linked to the country.

In his address during the event, Major General Mantey reaffirmed the commission's commitment to combating drug trafficking and protecting public health. He called for increased cooperation from the general public, urging citizens to report suspicious activities to the authorities. He stressed that the fight against narcotics is a shared responsibility, requiring collective action to safeguard the nation from the harmful effects of drug abuse and the criminal networks that profit from it.