Two arrested over 175 suspected narcotic slabs, GH¢30,000 alleged bribe

The arrests followed an operation by officers of the Bravo SWAT Unit on Friday, September 11, 2026, after the police received intelligence about a Kia Rhino truck, with registration number GN 5581-13, allegedly transporting and distributing suspected narcotic substances in Accra.

Police said officers intercepted the truck at Abofu, near Achimota, after tracing it from Kpandai in the Oti Region. The occupants, however, allegedly fled after spotting the police, leaving the vehicle and its contents behind.

A search of the truck reportedly led to the recovery of 175 compressed slabs of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs. The substances were allegedly concealed in three sacks and three “Ghana Must Go” bags.

The truck and the recovered items were subsequently conveyed to the Accra Regional Police Headquarters for further investigation.

Police said two men later appeared at the Regional Police Headquarters and claimed ownership of the truck and the recovered substances.

They were identified as Mark Bangel, a trader residing in Kpandai, and Zakaria Arafat, who reportedly identified himself as a mechanic residing in Kpando in the Volta Region.

According to the police, the two suspects subsequently attempted to influence the Bravo SWAT Unit Commander by offering him GH¢30,000 to secure the release of the truck and the recovered exhibits.

The police said the suspects were arrested and the alleged bribe money was retrieved.

Further investigations have reportedly established that the suspects mentioned a third person, identified only as Salam, who allegedly drove the truck and its suspected narcotic cargo from Kpandai to Accra.

The police said efforts are underway to apprehend Salam.

The two suspects are assisting with investigations, while the suspected narcotic substances and the truck remain in police custody as exhibits.