In a major public safety operation, the Northern Regional Command of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has destroyed a massive haul of
illicit drugs valued at GH¢2.5 million. The exercise, which took place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Gbalahi Landfill site near Tamale, serves as a direct blow to the regional drug trafficking trade.
The disposal follows the successful prosecution of several traffickers, with the destruction authorized by a court order from His Honour Francis Ayamwuni Asobayire, a Circuit Court Judge in Tamale.
The Inventory of Destruction
The haul consisted primarily of synthetic opioids and marijuana, reflecting the growing trend of pharmaceutical abuse in Northern Ghana:
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Synthetic Opioids: Hundreds of boxes of Tafrado (120mg), Tramaking, Royal (225mg), and high-dosage Tramadol blisters.
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Marijuana: Significant quantities of compressed cannabis seized during transit.
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Legal Status: These items were held as exhibits at the Registry of the Circuit Court until the conclusion of their respective cases.
Strengthening Northern Borders
Mr. Issahaque Bakuri, Northern Regional Commander of NACOC, emphasized that the disposal is part of a "frantic" regional strategy to protect the youth from the synthetic opioid menace.
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Surveillance: Security officers have been permanently stationed at major entry points.
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Unapproved Routes: NACOC is collaborating with the Ghana Police Service to monitor porous "bush" routes used by smugglers from neighboring countries.
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Compassion & Care: Beyond enforcement, Mr. Bakuri urged those battling addiction to utilize the Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Fund to seek professional help.
The Judicial Precedent
The exercise was witnessed by representatives from the Ghana Police Service, the Judicial Service, and the media to ensure maximum transparency. Judge Asobayire’s order ensures that these dangerous substances—some of which were twice the legal milligram threshold for medical use—can never find their way back onto the black market.
The Bottom Line
The GH¢2.5 million drug burn at Gbalahi marks the largest narcotics destruction in Tamale this year, signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward the illegal trade of high-dosage Tramadol and marijuana in the Northern Region.
