Parliamentary Majority Leader James Agalga told the press on Thursday, 24 September, that the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) logged a 197 % jump in arrests and a record seizure haul in 2025, citing the government’s reinforced enforcement framework and institutional reforms.
In 2024, NACOC recorded 73 arrests nationwide – the highest figure to date. That number leapt to 217 arrests involving 165 cases in 2025. Agalga said the increase was a direct result of the concrete institutional changes the NDC administration has implemented.
Seizures also climbed sharply. A total of 1,497.75 kilogrammes of narcotic substances, with an estimated street value of US$5.24 million, were confiscated during the year. In addition, 61,974 units of controlled substances – including pharmaceutical opiates and new psychoactive substances – were seized. Asset‑based operations yielded GH¢6.93 million and US$440,382 in cash, as well as 19.72 kilogrammes of gold linked to suspected drug money laundering.
Agalga highlighted NACOC’s expanded operational footprint, noting the Commission increased its District Commands from fewer than 10 to 77, now covering all 16 regions. The broader presence, he said, has enabled more effective enforcement across the country.
The Majority Leader also stressed the importance of inter‑agency collaboration. NACOC’s operations now work closely with the Ghana Police Service, National Intelligence Bureau, Ghana Immigration Service and the Economic and Organised Crime Office, he said, fostering intelligence‑led operations that target drug networks more efficiently.
To streamline prosecutions, the government has also established a dedicated narcotics court. The specialised court aims to reduce fragmentation in the judicial process and close the gap between arrests and convictions.
As NACOC continues to tighten its grip on the drug trade, the 2025 figures underscore the effectiveness of the NDC’s policy shift toward stronger enforcement and institutional reform.
