NACOC Arrests Surge 197% Under Mahama – Majority

James Agalga

The Majority Caucus in Parliament has disclosed that arrests by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) increased by 197 percent in 2025 under the John Dramani Mahama administration, describing the development as evidence of intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking in Ghana.

According to the Majority Leader, James Agalga, NACOC recorded 73 arrests nationwide in 2024, but the figure rose to 217 arrests involving 165 cases in 2025.

Addressing the media in Parliament yesterday, Mr. Agalga said the increase reflected institutional reforms, improved inter-agency collaboration and the expansion of NACOC’s operational presence across the country.

He said the 2025 enforcement operations also resulted in the seizure of 1,497.75 kilogrammes of narcotic substances with an estimated street value of $5.24 million, in addition to 61,974 units of controlled substances, including pharmaceutical opiates and new psychoactive substances.

The Majority Leader said asset-based enforcement operations further led to the seizure of GH¢6.93 million and $440,382 in cash, as well as 19.72 kilogrammes of gold allegedly linked to suspected drug-money laundering.

He said NACOC had also expanded its district commands from fewer than 10 to 77, extending its operational presence to all 16 regions.

Mr. Agalga attributed the development to measures undertaken by the government since March 2025, including the recruitment and training of personnel, improved logistics and stronger cooperation among NACOC, the Ghana Police Service, the National Intelligence Bureau, the Ghana Immigration Service and the Economic and Organised Crime Office.

He disclosed that 495 new NACOC officers were trained in 2025, while government had approved the recruitment of an additional 1,200 personnel to address staffing gaps.

The Majority Leader also said the government had provided 35 operational vehicles to NACOC and was constructing a dedicated forensic laboratory to strengthen evidence processing and narcotics prosecutions.

On the prosecution of drug-related offences, Mr. Agalga said 95 of the 217 suspects arrested in 2025 were referred to court, while 120 remained under active investigation.

Six convictions were secured from the 165 cases, representing a conviction rate of 3.6 percent, according to the Majority.

He said the government had therefore established a dedicated court for narcotics cases to address “fragmentation and delays in the prosecution of drug offences.”

Mr. Agalga further said NACOC was shifting its strategy from merely counting drug seizures to targeting the criminal networks and financiers behind the narcotics trade.

He said that between July 2025 and August 2026, NACOC had restrained 73 tainted assets, seized more than 19 kilogrammes of gold in suspected drug-money laundering operations, and restrained cash and other assets valued at more than $6.9 million.

The Majority Leader, however, acknowledged that significant challenges remained, particularly in technology, infrastructure and resources.

Mr. Agalga said the government needed to strengthen NACOC’s participation in joint inspections at the country’s ports, improve access to customs and cargo-tracking systems, and invest in modern detection technology and dedicated maritime assets.

The Majority also called for greater cooperation among security and law-enforcement agencies, stressing that the fight against narcotics could not be handled by a single institution.

By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House

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