The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has intercepted a significant consignment of suspected narcotics, leading to the arrest of a 50-year-old commercial driver in the region.
The arrest took place on Tuesday, January 26, 2026, during a routine snap check conducted by officers from the Bekwai District Police Command at the Asanso checkpoint along the Bekwai–Aputogya road.
Police intercepted a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus and, upon thorough search, discovered nine nylon sacks containing a total of 714 slabs of compressed dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp (cannabis).
The driver, identified as Atampugri Akanyani, was immediately arrested and taken into custody for interrogation.
During questioning, the suspect told police that the substances were handed over to him by an unknown individual at the Kejetia Lorry Terminal in Kumasi and were to be delivered to another unidentified person in Obuasi for a fee of GH¢600.
The suspected narcotic substances have been retained as evidence, while the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus has been impounded as part of the ongoing investigation.
Atampugri Akanyani has since been arraigned before court to face charges related to possession and transportation of narcotics.
Addressing the media, the Ashanti South Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Hammond Nyaaba, reaffirmed the Ghana Police Service’s unwavering commitment to clamping down on drug trafficking and other criminal activities across the region.
“This interception demonstrates our resolve to disrupt drug supply chains and protect communities from the devastating effects of narcotics. We will continue to intensify intelligence-led operations and collaborate with other agencies to ensure the safety and security of all citizens,” he stated.
Investigations remain ongoing to identify and apprehend the individuals who handed over the consignment to the driver and the intended recipient in Obuasi.
The police have appealed to the public to provide credible information that could assist in dismantling drug networks operating in the region.
