The Ghana Police Service has arrested seven persons and intercepted 1,696 compressed parcels of substances suspected to be narcotics in a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations across the Oti Region.
According to a statement signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police John Nchor, Public Affairs Officer of the Oti Regional Command, the operations were carried out between February 13 and 15 along key transit routes in the region.
The first arrest occurred on February 13 when officers stopped a Hyundai Atos taxi, registration number VR188-16, on the Lekanti-Kute road. A search of the vehicle uncovered 48 parcels of suspected Indian hemp. The driver, Emmanuel Yao, 40, and his mate, Felix Emulator, were taken into custody.
On February 14, acting on further intelligence, police raided a location at Tsikata near Ahamansu, where they discovered 166 compressed parcels wrapped in yellow masking tape and concealed in three bags and three sacks. Three suspects were arrested on the spot, while a fourth suspect, identified as Korsi Akpavi, managed to escape and is currently being pursued.
The largest seizure came on February 15 at Bodada, where officers intercepted a Benz cargo truck with registration number GS3831-09. A search of the vehicle revealed a specially modified hidden compartment containing 1,482 parcels of suspected Indian hemp. The driver, Justice Nelson Amrado, and his passenger, 25-year-old Yussif Onaneye, were arrested.
Police disclosed that after the discovery, the driver allegedly attempted to bribe officers with GH¢80,000 in a bid to avoid arrest, but the offer was firmly rejected.
The Oti Regional Police Command says efforts are underway to apprehend the suspect still at large and has called on members of the public to volunteer credible information to support ongoing crime-fighting operations in the area.
