The Upper East Regional Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old man suspected of engaging in the distribution of illicit drugs at Paga in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region.
The suspect, identified as Tumbana Ane, was arrested following an operation by the police, during which officers seized 38 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
According to the Upper East Regional Police Command, the arrest forms part of efforts to clamp down on the distribution and use of prohibited drugs and other criminal activities in the region.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 5, the police said a search conducted at the residence of the suspect led to the discovery of the 38 parcels of the suspected narcotic substance.
The search also resulted in the recovery of other prohibited drugs, including Tramadol.
Tunnel Discovered at Suspect’s Residence
According to the Command, officers also discovered a tunnel at the suspect’s residence during the search.
The Police suspect that the tunnel may have been deliberately constructed and used by Ane as a hiding place for the illicit substances and possibly as an escape route to evade arrest or detection by law enforcement officers.
The discovery of the tunnel has raised concerns about the sophistication of drug distribution networks operating in border communities and the lengths to which suspects may go to conceal their activities.
Links to Brothels at Illegal Mining Site
The Command further disclosed that preliminary investigations had uncovered information linking Ane to the operation of brothels at an illegal mining site at Wuru, a suburb of the Kayoro community in the Kassena-Nankana West District.
The connection between drug distribution and illegal mining activities highlights the complex web of crime in Ghana’s mining communities, where substance abuse, commercial sex work and illicit financial flows often intersect.
The discovery of the substances led the police to intensify investigations into the activities of the suspect and the possible network of individuals involved in the alleged drug trade.
Paga: A Strategic Border Town Under Scrutiny
Paga is a bustling border town in the Upper East Region, directly adjacent to Burkina Faso. It hosts one of Ghana’s busiest land border crossings and is a major hub for cross-border trade in goods, livestock and agricultural produce.
However, its strategic location also makes it vulnerable to smuggling and illicit trade, including narcotics. Ghana has long been identified as a transit point for drugs moving between West Africa, Latin America and Europe, and border communities like Paga are often key nodes in these networks.
The Upper East Regional Police Command has in recent years stepped up operations against drug trafficking and abuse, conducting intelligence-led raids, highway patrols and community engagement programmes. The arrest of Ane is the latest in a series of enforcement actions aimed at disrupting the supply chain.
Tramadol: A Growing National Concern
The recovery of Tramadol at the suspect’s residence underscores the growing challenge of pharmaceutical opioid abuse in Ghana. Tramadol, a prescription painkiller, has become one of the most widely abused drugs in the country, particularly among young people.
It is often sold illegally in markets, kiosks and by hawkers, sometimes mixed with alcohol to create a cheap, powerful high known locally as “Red.” Health officials have linked tramadol abuse to seizures, respiratory depression, organ damage, mental health crises and deaths.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference recently called for stronger measures against tramadol and marijuana abuse, warning that these readily accessible substances are destroying the youth. The Bishops urged the government to focus not only on high-profile narcotics like cocaine but also on drugs that are easily available in communities.
Investigations Ongoing
The Upper East Regional Police Command said investigations are continuing to identify and dismantle the wider network connected to the suspect. The police have not ruled out further arrests.
Ane is expected to be arraigned before court as investigations proceed. The seizure of 38 parcels of suspected Indian hemp represents a significant interception, given the volume involved.
The Command has urged the public to support its efforts by providing information on suspicious activities, emphasising that community cooperation is essential to tackling drug trafficking and associated crimes.
As Ghana intensifies its fight against narcotics, the Paga arrest serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by border communities and the determination of law enforcement to disrupt the trade — one seizure, one arrest, at a time.
