The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has significantly scaled up its efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and abuse, with a series of intelligence-led operations resulting in the arrest of 72 suspects across the Eastern and Greater Accra regions. The coordinated exercise, codenamed Operation White Ember, was launched as a festive season crackdown designed to disrupt drug-related activities during the holiday period.
Operations targeted several prominent drug hotspots, including Mamfe and Tutu in the Eastern Region, as well as Madina Redco Flats, Zongo Junction, and railway slum communities in the vicinity of Airport City, Accra. On Boxing Day, law enforcement officers expanded raids to Tema Community One and Teshie Nungua, where dozens of additional suspects were apprehended. NACOC’s K9 unit provided critical support throughout the exercise, aiding in the detection and seizure of illicit substances.
In addition to targeted raids, patrols were deployed at major shopping malls and popular beachfronts in the capital, forming part of broader measures to curb drug-related incidents during the festive season. Exhibits recovered from the operations included ecstasy, methamphetamine, and alcoholic beverages laced with cannabis.
NACOC emphasized the significant social impact of the exercise, noting that the intercepted drugs could have exposed thousands of people to addiction had they entered the public domain. Residents in affected communities reportedly expressed strong support for the operation, with many gathering to applaud officers as suspected drug dealers were taken into custody.
As part of the initiative, NACOC officers conducted on-the-spot public education sessions, sensitising residents about the dangers of drug abuse and its implications for public safety. The Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining Operation White Ember in the coming weeks and months, with the aim of fostering a safer and healthier environment during the festive season and beyond.
