A 53-year-old man has been arrested in the Ashanti region for allegedly lacing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages with narcotic substances.

The suspect, identified as Adjei Owusu Afriyie, was arrested at Akyeremade, in the Atwima Kwawoma District, during an intelligence-led operation by the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) of the Ashanti Regional Police Command.

During a Thursday-morning raid in the community, officers of the unit barged into and ransacked a local pub known as “De-Vicky’s” where they uncovered the illicit activity.

The suspect is reported to have been serving his customers with concoctions of beverages mixed with hard drugs.

"A search conducted at the premises, particularly the suspect’s storeroom, led to the retrieval of Seven (7) barrels containing locally manufactured dry gin (akpeteshie), fifty-six (56) branded Alomo gin bottles, each containing locally manufactured dry gin (akpeteshie), One (1) barrel containing sobolo, and One (1) gallon containing sobolo," said a statement from the police.

Preliminary assessments indicated that the seized substances were suspected to be laced with narcotic drugs.

The suspect is currently in police custody, assisting with investigations, while the seized items have been secured for forensic examination.

Further investigations are also ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the prohibited business and to identify any accomplices.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command assured of its continued commitment to combating drug-related offences and safeguarding public health and safety.