Confiscated narcotics being burnt by the Narcotics Commission
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has destroyed illegal drugs valued at approximately GH¢500,000 in the Northern Region.
The drugs, most of which were unregistered and were seized from retailers during a series of busts conducted through a joint operation between the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and the Ghana Police Service, included opioids, marijuana, and other illicit substances.
The destruction, which took place at the Gbalahi landfill site in the Tamale Metropolis, marked a significant milestone in the Narcotics Control Commission’s ongoing crackdown on the influx of illicit drugs into the country.
Speaking to the media, Meshack Andah, the Principal Regulatory Officer at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), stated that most of the confiscated drugs exceeded the permissible milligram threshold allowed in the country, making them highly dangerous and illegal for circulation.
“Tramadol products are pharmaceutical products supposed to be registered before we issue market authorisation. There are grams that are acceptable that you can register and in Ghana, the acceptable limits are 100 mg.
“As you can observe, we have some as high as 225mg, 250 mg and the likes, and these are all unregistered products. Yes, most often or not. These are products that were seized from retailers, not wholesalers,” he said.
This effort comes amid growing concerns over the opioid crisis and its impact on public health and safety.
MAG/EB
GhanaWeb to stream Kwahu Business Forum as government targets 600 businesses by 2028