The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has destroyed a large quantity of seized narcotic substances and drug-infused products during a supervised burning exercise at Bondase.
According to NACOC, the drugs were intercepted during various operations between July 2011 to May 2026.
The exercise, which forms part of the Commission’s routine disposal of confiscated narcotics, was led by NACOC Director-General, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, alongside his deputy and officials from several state institutions, including the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).
According to NACOC, the destruction was carried out after securing the necessary court-issued destruction certificates authorising the disposal of the seized substances.
Addressing the media after the destruction of the seized substances, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey cautioned persons and drug syndicates operating in the country to desist from the illicit operations.
“We will come after you. You may be operating now thinking nobody has caught you but be rest assured. This is the Grace period. It is better you stop now before we get to you,” he stated.
Officials from the Ghana Standards Authority were present to verify the items being destroyed and ensure transparency in the process.
Their involvement, NACOC said, is intended to address public concerns and dispel speculation that counterfeit substances are destroyed while genuine narcotics are retained.
Among the items destroyed were 46 slabs of cocaine, thousands of slabs and parcels of cannabis, cannabis-infused beverages, cannabis-laced shampoos and other hemp-related products.
In total, the destruction exercise involved:
- 9.6 tonnes of cannabis
- 46.89 kilograms of cocaine
- 2,734 bottles of cannabis-infused drinks
- 130 boxes of hemp-related products
Other items destroyed included 171 bottles of shampoo infused with cannabis, 10 barrels containing alcoholic beverages mixed with cannabis, eight barrels of loose cannabis, 14 sacks containing cannabis-infused liquid substances and 213 boxes of bottled liquid products containing cannabis extracts.
NACOC stated that the destroyed narcotics represented thousands of potential doses that could have fueled substance abuse, endangered young people, harmed families and strengthened criminal drug trafficking networks.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to combating drug trafficking and abuse, stressing that the destruction exercise demonstrates its resolve to prevent seized narcotics from finding their way back into circulation.
Officials also emphasized the importance of collaboration among law enforcement and regulatory agencies in safeguarding public health and national security from the dangers posed by illicit drugs.
