The Upper West Regional Command of the Narcotics Control Commission, acting on intelligence, has intercepted two Kia Rhino trucks loaded with unapproved substances, including sodium cyanide, foreign cigarettes, and assorted pharmaceutical products, at Kaleo in the Nadowli District of the Upper West Region.

The items, which were bound for Burkina Faso, were being transported in two trucks with registration numbers GS 5699-18 and GC 1871-11. A total of 58 cartons of cigarettes, 182 cartons of unapproved pharmaceutical drugs, and 40 drums of sodium cyanide were found on board.

On Sunday, 1 February 2026, officers of the Upper West Regional Command received intelligence about the two vehicles, which were reportedly heading to Burkina Faso with the consignments. A search conducted on the trucks revealed that the items were being transported without the required documentation or approval.

The drivers and their mates have been handed over to the Upper West Regional Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

About Sodium cyanide Sodium cyanide is an extremely toxic industrial chemical that can kill within minutes. Once it enters the body, it blocks cells from using oxygen, effectively causing internal suffocation even when a person is breathing normally. Exposure—whether swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin—can lead to rapid symptoms such as dizziness, breathing difficulty, seizures, cardiac arrest, and death. Because even small amounts can be fatal, it is strictly regulated worldwide. Sodium cyanide is permitted for use but strictly controlled. It is legally used in regulated industrial settings, including old mining (to extract gold from ore), electroplating, metal processing and certain chemical manufacturing processes. However, its production, transport, storage, and disposal are tightly governed by national and international regulations because of its extreme toxicity. Companies must obtain licences, follow strict safety protocols, and comply with environmental protection laws.