The inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and his men and women in black uniform, appear to have declared war on narcotic drug peddlers and other related crimes in the country, especially in the Volta Region, where cultivation of Indian hemp, which has been nicknamed ‘Volta Cocaine’, is very common.
Barely a fortnight after turning down a $20,000 bribe offered by a suspect transporting substances suspected to be cocaine from Accra apparently to Nigeria, they have done it again.
This time, the amount involved is not $20,000 but GHS120,000 ($10,867.42) offered by a middle man to release large number of parcels suspecting to contain Indian hemp (Volta Cocaine) and a cargo truck the narcotic drugs were found in.
The suspect has since been arrested and assisting the police with investigation into the case.
Interception of Cargo Truck
According to police sources, on January 29, 2026 at about 4:30pm, the Volta Regional Operations Commander, DSP Augustine Awuah, together with seven officers from the Regional SWAT team, acting on intelligence, intercepted a Hyundai cargo truck with registration number GT 8280–24.
The truck, loaded with detergents and diapers and heading towards Ashaiman, Accra, was suspected to be conveying hidden narcotic substances. When the vehicle was stopped, the driver claimed the truck had developed an overheating fault.
In the process of allegedly going for water, the driver and an occupant fled the scene. The truck was later escorted to the Volta Regional Police Headquarters in Ho.
Two other persons later appeared, claiming ownership of some of the goods in the truck. Due to poor visibility, a full search was deferred to the following day.
Recovery of Suspected Narcotics
On January 30, 2026 a search conducted in the presence of suspects Lawrence Osai, also known as Mandela, Emmanuel Bullah and an independent witness, led to the discovery of 240 cyber boards and 10 sacks containing 527 compressed oval-shaped dried leaves, wrapped in yellow cello-tape, suspected to be narcotic drugs.
The substances were hidden beneath wooden boards and covered with diapers and detergents. Police estimate the street value of the suspected narcotics at GH¢210,800.
The suspects and exhibits were subsequently handed over to the Regional Directorate of the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU), led by ASP Richard Dotsey Gablah, for further investigations.
Bribe Attempt Foiled
While investigations were ongoing, police intelligence revealed that persons linked to the suspects attempted to influence officers to drop the case by offering GH¢120,000.
The cash was allegedly delivered through intermediaries to influence the arresting and investigation teams.
However, the officers promptly reported the attempt. The individual who delivered the money was arrested and the cash retrieved and retained as evidence for further action.
Intended Action
Police say the suspects remain in custody and will be arraigned before court soon. Exhibits including the GH¢120,000 cash, the Hyundai cargo truck, cyber boards, diapers, detergents and the 10 sacks of suspected narcotic substances have been detained for forensic examination.
The case has officially been handed over to the Regional DLEU for further action.
Separate Bus Interception
In a related operation, police on January 29, 2026 intercepted a VVIP Yutong bus, registration number GT 5701–20, at the Kpeve Police Checkpoint following intelligence that it was transporting suspected narcotic drugs from the Dambai direction to Accra.
A search uncovered 214 parcels of compressed dried leaves suspected to be narcotics at the luggage bay.
The driver, Atta Blankson (32), his mate Joshua Brown (20) and an alleged exhibit owner, David Acquah (26) were arrested.
The bus and exhibits have also been handed over to the Regional DLEU for further investigations.
Police say photographs of suspects and exhibits in both cases have been secured to aid prosecution.
For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z
The post Police Refuse Gh¢120k ‘Volta Cocaine’ Bribe appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS