KEY POINTS
- NACOC caught 72 people and took a lot of drugs.
- Operation White Ember went after drug hubs in Eastern and Greater Accra.
- Community education seminars taught people about the hazards of drug abuse.
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has stepped up its war against illegal drug use in Ghana. During the holiday season, they carried out a number of intelligence led operations in the Eastern and Greater Accra areas.
The operation, called “Operation White Ember,” has successfully shut down several drug dens and arrested hundreds of people who are suspected of being involved. NACOC officials stressed that the operation was part of a bigger plan to keep people safe and lessen the negative effects of drug addiction on society over the holidays.
The coordinated raids covered key areas known for drug-related activity, including Mamfe and Tutu in the Eastern Region and Madina Redco Flats, Zongo Junction, and the railway slums of Airport City in the Greater Accra Region. On Boxing Day, NACOC expanded its work to Tema Community One and Teshie Nungua. With the help of its specialized K9 units, the agency arrested a lot of suspects and took a lot of illegal drugs.
Community involvement and festive security measures
When talking about the results of the operation, NACOC officials stressed the larger social effects of the seizures. A Commission spokeswoman said, “The drugs seized during these raids, which range from ecstasy and methamphetamine to cannabis-laced alcoholic drinks, could save thousands of lives that are on the verge of becoming addicted.”
Officers also talked to people who were at the raid sites and held public education seminars right there to raise awareness about the hazards of drug use and how it affects public safety.
Patrols didn’t just happen in homes and informal communities. NACOC expanded its reach to shopping malls, beaches, and other public places throughout Greater Accra, making sure that drug activity was kept to a minimum even in places where tourists and holiday shoppers go. The Commission said these initiatives aim to keep people safe during the Christmas season, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the celebrations without fearing drug-related crime.
Ongoing Work and Plans for the Future
In total, Operation White Ember led to the arrest of 72 suspects, with officers emphasizing that this is only the beginning of a sustained effort to curb drug-related crime nationwide. NACOC assured the public that similar intelligence led operations would continue in the coming weeks and months, aiming to dismantle drug networks and protect vulnerable communities across the country.
“Our commitment is to ensure that Ghana remains safe and secure, not only during the festive season but throughout the year,” the Commission stated. Officials stressed that by combining enforcement with community education, Operation White Ember seeks not only to remove drugs from the streets but also to address the long-term social challenges associated with substance abuse.
Through a combination of targeted raids, public engagement, and ongoing intelligence work, NACOC has further demonstrated its resolve to combat drug trafficking and abuse, reinforcing the importance of vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
