The Eastern Regional Police Command arrested three individuals on May 10, 2026, in connection with the seizure of a substantial quantity of suspected Indian hemp and a GH¢100,000 bribery attempt directed at police officers. The operation, which occurred in the Akosombo-Bonya area, highlights ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
Intelligence-Led Operation Uncovers Narcotics
Acting on a tip-off received by the Regional Police Intelligence Department (RPID), officers initiated surveillance near Krobo Girls Senior High School. Their intelligence indicated that narcotics were being stored in the vicinity.
Police observed a Hyundai Rhino truck, registered as GR 5724-15, being used to transport what appeared to be sacks of illicit substances. The operation escalated when officers tracked the vehicle to a secluded area close to the Atua Government Hospital.
At this location, suspects were seen transferring the cargo from the Hyundai truck into a Howo Zonda Tipper Truck, bearing registration number GN 7948-21. Upon the police intervention, the initial group of individuals fled into the nearby bush.
Seizure and Bribery Allegations
Law enforcement successfully secured both vehicles and their contents. A subsequent search revealed 1,600 parcels of suspected Indian hemp concealed within the trucks.
Shortly after the seizure, a 39-year-old welder named Solomon Tettey approached the officers. Tettey, a resident of Atua, reportedly claimed ownership of the vehicles and the suspected narcotics.
According to a police statement signed by C/Inspector Bridget Opoku, Tettey informed officers that the consignment was destined for Nigeria. In what police describe as an attempt to obstruct the investigation, Tettey allegedly offered the officers a bribe of GH¢100,000.
Police stated that officers feigned cooperation to gather evidence regarding the bribery attempt. Tettey reportedly transferred GH¢90,000 via Mobile Money and provided GH¢10,000 in cash.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Following the alleged bribe transaction, personnel from the Regional Counter-Terrorism Unit and Odumase Police moved in to apprehend Solomon Tettey.
Two additional suspects, identified as Joshua Nartey and Teye Nartey, were later arrested after presenting themselves at the Regional Police Headquarters.
All three individuals, along with the seized suspected Indian hemp and the vehicles, have been transferred to the Regional Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation. The Ghana Police Service has reiterated its commitment to combating drug trafficking and upholding integrity in its operations.
Industry Implications and Future Watch
The incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in intercepting drug trafficking networks. The successful seizure and the attempted bribery highlight the sophisticated methods employed by criminal elements to move illicit substances and corrupt officials.
For the public, this event serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against illegal narcotics and the importance of the police’s role in maintaining security. The large quantity of drugs seized suggests a significant disruption to a trafficking operation.
The police’s strategy of pretending to cooperate to gather evidence on bribery attempts demonstrates a tactical approach to ensuring accountability and prosecuting offenders fully. This method can be crucial in dismantling larger criminal syndicates.
Moving forward, authorities will likely focus on tracing the supply chain and identifying other members of the alleged trafficking network. The investigation will also aim to determine the full extent of the bribery attempt and any potential accomplices.
Readers and industry stakeholders will be watching to see if this operation leads to further arrests and disruptions in regional drug trafficking routes. The commitment of the Ghana Police Service to integrity in the face of such challenges will remain a key point of observation.
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