NACOC cells overcrowded as drug arrests surge – Deputy Director-General

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) says its holding cells are overwhelmed due to a surge in arrests for illicit drug use, forcing the agency to transfer some suspects to the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) for detention.

Deputy Director-General of NACOC, Alexander Twum-Barimah, revealed this in an interview on August 25, highlighting the pressure on the Commission’s resources.

“In the last few months, our cells have been completely full. We’ve had to rely on the NIB to hold some of the suspects because we simply don’t have the space,” he stated.

Twum-Barimah said the overcrowding reflects the intensity of NACOC’s efforts, but acknowledged that despite the high number of arrests, drug abuse remains widespread, signalling the need for a more strategic approach.

“This shows the scale of the challenge we’re tackling. But arresting users alone isn’t enough. We must dismantle the drug networks enabling this problem,” he said.

He assured the public that NACOC is now focused on identifying and removing the key players behind drug trafficking operations in the country.

“We’re going the extra mile to ensure those running these drug hubs are taken down. Cutting off supply is the only way to reduce access and impact,” he added.