More than 8,500 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs and about 45.4 million tramadol tablets were seized in Ghana between January 2025 and July 2026, Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has disclosed.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, August 24, Mr Mohammed-Mubarak said the seizures formed part of intensified efforts by the government and security agencies to combat illicit drug trafficking and abuse.

“One of the major challenges that confront us continues to be the illicit drug fight,” he said.

“Over 8,500 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs were seized, and also about 45.4 million tramadol tablets.”

The Minister said the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) carried out the operations in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies.

He commended NACOC’s Director-General and his team for what he described as a “bold and decisive” approach to tackling the illicit drug trade.

According to Mr Mohammed-Mubarak, the operations during the period resulted in 217 arrests and 165 prosecutions against suspected offenders.

Focus on proceeds of drug trade

The Minister said the government’s strategy went beyond arresting drug users and traffickers to identifying and targeting assets suspected to have been acquired through the illicit trade.

“Our campaign is not just [targeted] at the users, but those who are bringing it,” he stated.

He disclosed that 73 assets had been traced in connection with suspected drug-related activities.

Security agencies also seized about 19 kilogrammes of gold in suspected drug money-laundering cases and restrained approximately GH¢6.9 million and US$440,000 in cash allegedly linked to persons involved in drug trafficking.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak also identified synthetic drugs as an emerging challenge, saying NACOC had intensified enforcement and public education efforts to address the growing threat.