Narcotics Commission busts syndicate; seizes over GH¢6 million worth of cannabis
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has seized about 5,700 kilograms of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis worth a street value of about GH¢6.84 million, from a drug syndicate.
The commission busted seven suspects near Atimpoku in the Eastern Region when they attempted to transport the suspected illegal substance to the Greater Accra Region last Wednesday.
Providing details about the seized drugs, the Head of Communications at NACOC, Mr Francis Opoku Amoah, said the wrapped leaves were packed in 124 sacks, each containing averagely 81 pieces.
He said that there were 10,000 pieces of wrapped cannabis with a gross weight of 5,700 kg.
Surveillance and arrest
Mr Opoku Amoah, during a media engagement, explained that the seizure followed an investigation into a drug syndicate, operating in Juapong in the Volta region, Kpong in the Eastern Region and Dodowa in Greater Accra.
Meanwhile, the suspects have been remanded into prison custody till October 29, and are currently assisting the Police with further investigations into the seizure.
“The commission wishes to reiterate that any person who engages in the cultivation of cannabis, as well as promotes any business relating to cannabis without lawful authority, proof of which lies on that person, commits an offence,” Mr Opoku Amoah stated.
He stated that the seizure formed part of efforts to clamp down on the use and trade in narcotic drugs, and called on the public to support the Commission in that regard.
Huge busts
In March last year, NACOC, in a joint operation with the Ghana Navy, intercepted 12,555 compressed slabs of cannabis near Keta in the Volta Region.
In August this year, NACOC, in collaboration with the Volta Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service, seized 9,752 slabs of cannabis, estimated to cost GH₵4.87 million.
The banned products were intercepted in the regional capital, Ho, after a joint operation as a result of several months of intelligence work by the commission in respect of cannabis production and distribution.
On this issue, Mr Opoku Amoah, said, NACOC had started the process of applying to the court to destroy the exhibits and also confiscate the vehicle involved, in line with the law.
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