NACOC reinstated at ports to intensify drug fight

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has been reinstated to participate in mandatory joint inspections at Ghana’s ports as part of renewed efforts to curb drug trafficking through the country.

The reinstatement, particularly at the Tema Port, is expected to strengthen the Commission’s ability to detect and intercept narcotic substances entering or transiting through the country.

The Majority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa North, Mr James Agalga, announced this at a press conference in Parliament yesterday, saying the move formed part of measures being implemented by the government to intensify the fight against narcotics.

He attributed some recent drug trafficking cases to the 2018 decision to exclude NACOC from mandatory joint inspections at the Tema Port, as well as inadequate resources for the Commission.

“This country made a decision in 2018 whose impact we are still facing. NACOC was no longer to be subjected to mandatory joint inspection at the Tema Port,” Mr Agalga said.

He said excluding the country’s narcotics control agency from inspections at its busiest port had weakened its ability to monitor cargo for illicit substances.

“A narcotics control agency without eyes to see the cargo coming through this country’s busiest port is an agency that’s been called upon to guard a door without a key,” he said.

Mr Agalga said the government had subsequently introduced interventions to strengthen NACOC’s operations, including the recruitment of additional narcotics personnel and the provision of resources.

He said the interventions had resulted in improved operational performance, with NACOC recording 217 arrests in 165 cases, compared with 73 arrests in 2024, while 1,497 kilogrammes of narcotic substances were seized in 2025.

The Majority Leader also cited the establishment of a special court to deal with narcotics cases as another measure that had contributed to the faster adjudication of drug-related cases.

He said the government had also recognised the need to strengthen intelligence gathering and cooperation among security agencies to stay ahead of drug traffickers.

Mr Agalga said the next phase of the fight would involve the modernisation of detection technology and the real-time integration of data among customs, ports, borders and intelligence agencies.

He also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies to enhance the detection and interception of narcotics.

“Let nobody mislead you when you begin to hear that huge kilogrammes of cocaine have been intercepted, culprits arrested, it means that the searchlight is now brighter than before. The public should expect more arrests in the coming days,” he said.

On calls by the Minority Caucus for a parliamentary probe into recent narcotics-related cases, Mr Agalga described the demand as premature.

He said Parliament was not mandated to undertake criminal investigations, particularly when the government had already taken steps to address the problem.

He explained that Parliament could, however, invite criminal investigation agencies to appear before the House to respond to questions if the House was dissatisfied with the outcome of investigations.

BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY

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