The National Highway Patrol Unit of the Ghana Police Service on Wednesday, June 11, arrested one Christopher Partey for unlawful possession of 40 parcels of a substance suspected to be narcotic drugs.

The team intercepted a Ford Transit bus with registration number AS 524-16 near the outskirts of Ayikuma township while on routine patrol along the Accra–Somanya corridor.

A search of the vehicle revealed 40 tightly wrapped parcels concealed in a fertilizer sack in the vehicle’s boot.

Upon interrogation, Christopher Partey, a passenger on board, admitted ownership of the items.

The exhibits retrieved have been handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Unit at the Police Headquarters for further investigation.

The suspect is currently in police custody, assisting investigations and will be put before the court.

Meanwhile, a special operation by the Central East Regional Police has led to the arrest of 19 suspects in connection with illicit drug trade and robbery activities within the Kasoa Dominase enclave and the Onion market in the Central Region.

Abubakari Ibrahim, Mohammed Awal, Shafiu Salisu, Hamza Amadu, Ali Adamu, Balhani Fuseini, Jamal Haruna, Zakari Abdulai, Abdul Aziz, Bera Kalidu, and Moro Baki were arrested during the operation on Thursday, June 12.

Anthony Lucky, Razak Yussif, Sumani Issah, Sulley Mohammed, Abdul Salifu, Eliasu Bukari, Kamelo Muuk, and Osumanu Amadu were also apprehended.

The Police in a statement, revealed that all 19 suspects are currently in custody, assisting the investigation. They will be put before court in due course.

Exhibits retrieved during the operation include substances suspected to be Indian hemp, as well as controlled pharmaceutical drugs such as Tramadol and Red.

The Regional command commended its personnel who embarked on the operation and encouraged them not to relent in their efforts as far as crime combat is concerned.

The Central East Regional Police Command has also entreated the public to provide relevant information to assist in its continued efforts to clamp down on the menace of illicit drug trade, substance abuse and robbery activities in the communities in order to help maintain a safer environment.

A new batch of recruits for the Narcotics Control Commission has graduated from the Naval Recruit Training School at Nutekpor in the Volta Region.

The graduating recruits have undergone rigorous training in key intelligence activities, drug pharmacology, profiling techniques, document fraud detection and tactical security operations. They are now equipped to take on the challenges of combating illicit drug trafficking and abuse in Ghana.

Delivering a keynote address at the ceremony, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister for the Interior, charged the graduating recruits to remain steadfast in their mission to protect the country from the scourge of illicit drugs and emphasized that the recruits’ badge is a stewardship of hope and should never be used as a ticket for impunity.

“Your actions must symbolize justice, compassion, integrity and the resolve that upholds the core values of the Commission. “I implore you to resist corruption, uphold confidentiality, be diligent, and honour the oath enshrined in Section 35 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act of 2020,’ the Minister stated.

He assured the recruits of his full commitment to supporting the Commission in realising its objectives, promising to provide the necessary logistics and policy direction to guarantee success. He also saluted the staff and instructors for their discipline, professionalism and sacrifice in mo