NACOC Arrests 60-Year-Old Suspect in Upper West: Seizes 2,626 Cartridges of Ammunition and Tramadol
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) Upper West Regional Command has arrested a 60-year-old man identified as Abass Seidu for allegedly dealing in ammunition and tramadol, recovering a substantial cache of 2,626 cartridges and illicit drugs during a targeted operation.
According to an official statement posted on NACOC’s Facebook page on Thursday, February 19, 2026, the suspect was apprehended on January 29, 2026, at Kundugu in the Wa East District following weeks of intelligence-led surveillance by undercover operatives.
The initial arrest took place at the Kundugu market, where officers recovered three cartons of ammunition and quantities of tramadol concealed within assorted legitimate pharmaceutical drugs. A follow-up search of Seidu’s stash house located at the Wa-Kejetia lorry station uncovered seven additional cartons and 362 individual pieces of ammunition, along with assorted foreign cigarettes. The total haul amounted to 2,626 cartridges of ammunition.
NACOC disclosed that the suspect had been actively supplying both local clients in the region and individuals from neighbouring Burkina Faso, highlighting the cross-border dimension of the illicit trade.
Seidu has been transferred to the Wa Municipal Police Command for further investigations and eventual prosecution. Authorities did not specify the exact calibre or type of ammunition but emphasized the seriousness of the offences under Ghana’s laws governing narcotics, arms, and ammunition trafficking.
In a public advisory, the Upper West Regional Command of NACOC cautioned citizens against involvement in such criminal activities, warning of severe legal consequences. The Commission urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with law enforcement by providing credible information on suspicious dealings involving drugs or weapons.
This arrest underscores ongoing efforts by NACOC and security agencies to disrupt illegal arms and narcotics networks, particularly in border regions prone to smuggling. The Upper West Region shares a porous frontier with Burkina Faso, where instability has occasionally facilitated cross-border criminal flows.
The case remains under active investigation, with no further details released on potential accomplices or the intended use of the seized ammunition.
