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The Narcotics Control Commision of Ghana, NACOC, has destroyed a total of 16, 826.91 kilograms of narcotic substances confiscated by the commision and allied agencies in the last few months. The illicit drugs included the 350 million dollars worth of Cocaine impounded by the commission in collaboration with the National Investigations Bureau, NIB a couple of months ago.
The burning of the substances forms part of a consolidated plan to rid Ghana of illicit drugs making the country an unattractive destination for the illegal drugs business and its adverse effects on the citizenry, particularly the youth.
The Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, revealed that, the exercise was carried as part of activities to commemorate the World Drugs Day, which would be climaxed nationally on June 26, 2025, at the Ghana International Conference Centre. “Conducting the burning in accordance with the environmental protection requirments, and in the presence of relevant agencies and the media portrays the commission’s transparency in fighting the illicit drugs manace as well as our commitment and respect for the rule of law” he retorted.
The NACOC DG, highlighted the debilitating effects of narcotics on lives and the need to stem the tide regarding the fight against the menace to protect the integrity of Ghana. “My simple message to perpetrators or those who are involved in this illicit drugs business is that it is not fair to this country. We will not stand idle and allow them to bring these illicit drugs to the country to destroy our future leaders”, he added.
Brigadier General Mantey, went ahead to disclose that the commission in furtherance will from July, 2025, commence a special operation on illicit drugs dealers and called on all for support to protect Ghana from the negative effects of illicit drugs. “From next month we would be conducting special operations, and we’ll go after them. We hope that you’ll corporate with us, assist us as much as possible to bring them to the public view for them to be named and shamed” he emphasised.
Alexander Twum Barima, the Deputy Director General of NACOC, cursorily walked the press through the quantity of various substances destroyed and their worth. He was however quick to add that, not all the destroyed items were meant for export by illegal narcotics dealers. “But let me say that not all the destroyed drugs were meant for export, some were seized from local pharmacies that illegally sell such prescription drugs to the unsuspecting public” he disclosed.
He however sounded warning to perpetrators that the commission will come hard on them especially when they have the collaboration of the Pharmacy Council, their umbrella association. “The Pharmacy Council has assured us that it will revoke the licence of any member we arrest and allow the law to deal with them. So those in the illegal sales of unauthorised drugs must stop because as my director indicated earlier, you don’t now when we’ll call at your pharmacy or warehouse and if found liable, you’ll regret it” Mr. Barima stressed.
Bellow is the breakdown of the various substances destroyed.
Cocaine – 113.348kg
Herion – 10.45kg
Cannabis- 1934.273kg
Methamphetamine- 2.00kg
MDMA (ecstasy) – 0.644kg
Ketamine- 1.099kg
Cathinone- 15.1kg C
odeine, Diclofenac, and Hyergra-11,500kg
Totaling 16,826.91kg of Narcotic drugs destroyed.
By: Edward Graham Sebbie
