Ghana's war on drugs nets record seizures and high-profile arrests in 2025
Ghana has stepped up its fight against drug trafficking since early 2025, with security agencies carrying out a series of high-profile busts. Over the past year, operations have led to major seizures of cocaine, cannabis, and other narcotics, along with numerous arrests across the country.
The crackdown began in March 2025 when the National Intelligence Bureau intercepted about 3.3 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a truck. The haul, valued at roughly US$350 million, marked one of the largest seizures in recent years.
A few weeks later, a notorious Nigerian trafficker was arrested in Accra with 192 kg of suspected cocaine and 0.42 kg of heroin, worth over US$2.1 million. By April, agencies had conducted three major operations in the first quarter alone, targeting multi-ton cocaine shipments and large quantities of cannabis slabs on highways. In May, two women were caught transporting 1,600 slabs of suspected Indian hemp. Then, in June, authorities publicly destroyed GH¢350 million worth of cocaine and over 16,800 kg of assorted narcotics. The following September, 38 kg of cannabis was seized inland, leading to three arrests. At Kotoka International Airport in mid-2025, officials confiscated 53.6 kg of cannabis and detained a British national. The year ended with a nationwide raid in December, where the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) arrested 72 suspects and seized drugs including ecstasy, methamphetamine, and cannabis-laced alcohol. The latest operation took place in January 2026, when 1,613 parcels of suspected narcotics were seized on the Tema-Akosombo road, with two drivers arrested.
The intensified campaign has resulted in significant drug seizures and multiple arrests over the past 12 months. Authorities continue to target trafficking networks, with operations spanning airports, highways, and inland areas.
