The Ghana Navy intercepted two wooden boats at the Ada Estuary on Thursday, November 5, 2026, that were carrying 117 sacks of substances suspected to be Indian hemp. The haul weighed approximately 4.7 tonnes and is estimated to be worth more than US$1 million.
The operation was carried out by the Navy’s Riverine Command in partnership with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and National Security. The consignment consisted of dried leaves packed in more than 80 parcels per sack, according to preliminary intelligence that suggested the cargo was being transported out of the country.
Suspects abandoned the boats after spotting the pursuing naval personnel and fled the scene. Director of Naval Operations at Naval Headquarters, Captain Festus Osei Brobbey, said the riverine detachment was deployed to strengthen security along Volta Lake and surrounding communities, aiming to prevent illicit activities and improve waterway security.
Captain Brobbey emphasized the importance of sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering to identify and disrupt criminal activities, and thanked community members for providing timely information that helped the operation.
Keneth Kofi Kabu Kanor, Ada East District Chief Executive and Chairman of the District Security Committee (DISEC), warned residents against using Volta Lake as a transit route for illicit drugs and urged them to report suspicious movements to security authorities.
The interception underscores ongoing efforts by Ghanaian security agencies to tighten surveillance along the country’s waterways and curb the transport of illicit substances.
