Police destroy illicit drugs worth millions of Ghana cedis in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Police Service have destroyed large quantities of illicit drugs worth millions of Ghana cedis in the Ashanti Region.
The drugs, which included Tramadol, “wee” and codeine, among others, were confiscated following a series of anti-drug operations across the region.
Personnel of the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) of the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority, burnt the drugs at the Kaase landfill site.
Court order
Speaking to the media during the exercise last Wednesday, the Commanding Officer of DLEU, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Frazer Nutakor, said pursuant to Section 37 of the Narcotics Control Act, 2020, Act 1019, a court order was obtained to pave the way for the destruction of the items.
The illicit drugs being destroyed
“For transparency and accountability, officials of the FDA and the Environmental and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) health unit were involved to witness the destruction,” he said.
He stated that the drugs had been confiscated more than two years earlier following tip-offs from community informants, particularly in ghettos, and warned the youth against their use, noting that such drugs had the potential to destroy lives.
ASP Nutakor was delighted that the service had made progress in the fight against narcotics use among the youth in the region and disclosed that more than 100 drug addicts had been sent to rehabilitation centres for treatment.
Determined
The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Osei Akoto Arthur, said the command remained determined and resolute in the fight against drug use, particularly among the youth.
“We believe that it is the use of drugs by young people that lures them into engaging in criminal activities,” he said and reiterated the command’s commitment towards combating illicit drug use.
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