NACOC Arrests Mastermind Linked to $296 Million Methamphetamine Shipment to Australia

Tarkwa Man Jailed for Maternal Threat as Authorities Crack Down on Kidnapping and Illegal Spas

In a significant week for law enforcement across Ghana, the Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced 26-year-old Joseph Quaye to four years in prison with hard labor for threatening the life of his mother. The court, presided over by Her Honour Bernice Mensima Ackon, heard that Quaye, who is currently unemployed, brandished a knife and scissors against his mother, Afua Adenzie, following a domestic disagreement. Prosecution lead ASP Veronica Tibson detailed a pattern of aggressive confrontations that necessitated the firm judicial intervention. This sentencing serves as a stern warning against domestic violence and the use of lethal threats within the family unit. Further north, the Northern Regional Police Command has successfully apprehended three individuals suspected of a high-profile kidnapping in Dobini Bunban, near Yendi. The suspects, identified as Mahumudu Abdulai (32), Ganiu Sumaila (32), and Abdulai Salam (28), were arrested in connection with the abduction of Ayuba Sumiya Mawudu, also known as Haruna. The case, which reportedly involved a ransom demand of GH"100,000 and the involvement of four armed men, has highlighted the ongoing efforts of the regional command to dismantle criminal networks operating in the northern belt of the country. In the Ashanti Region, regulatory authorities have turned their attention to the health and wellness sector, resulting in the closure of three massage spas operated by Chinese nationals. The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) shut down the facilities in Ahodwo and Daban after an enforcement exercise revealed they lacked mandatory licenses and proof of professional proficiency. Divine Azraku, the TMPC’s Ashanti Regional Regulation Officer, emphasized that most facilities inspected during the sweep failed to produce business permits or association cards. The Council has directed these operators to regularize their status and pay the necessary fines before they can resume services, reinforcing the government's commitment to public safety standards. On the national security front, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) is advocating for a more integrated approach to policing Ghana's maritime gateways. Director-General Major-General Maxwell Obuba Mantey has called for tighter coordination among security agencies at Tema Harbour to prevent its use as a transit point for illicit drugs. Major-General Mantey stipulated that no container should depart the harbour without explicit clearance from NACOC, urging agencies to prioritize national security over institutional autonomy. To bolster these efforts, NACOC has pledged to provide advanced training and specialized software to enhance the detection and interception of narcotics, ensuring a more secure environment for international trade.