The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has voiced concern over a growing trend among some members of the public who now demand financial rewards before sharing information on suspected drug activities.
Speaking before Parliament’s Assurances Committee on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Major General Mantey highlighted the critical importance of citizen intelligence in the fight against narcotics trafficking. His remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of Ghana’s role in international drug trafficking, following the recent seizure of 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden in a charcoal shipment from Ghana and intercepted in Australia.
Major General Mantey stressed that drug traffickers are constantly developing new tactics to evade law enforcement, making close cooperation between NACOC and the public more essential than ever. “Each day, the traffickers evolve new strategies and try to go ahead of us. They connect, and they cooperate among themselves as to how to outwit them,” he explained.
While NACOC relies heavily on intelligence from the public to disrupt drug networks, Major General Mantey expressed concern about the expectation of monetary compensation attached to some tips. “Ghanaians now have become a bit demanding so when they send you intelligence, they demand money,” he noted, recalling an incident where an individual sought a house in exchange for providing information.
Despite these challenges, Major General Mantey assured the Assurances Committee that the Commission remains committed to working with citizens and all stakeholders in the ongoing battle against narcotics trafficking. He said the agency would continue to pursue intelligence-led operations, even as traffickers adapt with new methods and networks.
These comments come as Ghanaian security agencies intensify efforts to disrupt international drug networks, following a series of cases involving narcotics shipments linked to Ghana. Authorities, including Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, have consistently encouraged citizens to provide credible information to support anti-drug operations, emphasizing that public intelligence plays a vital role in successful drug busts.
Major General Mantey concluded that continued collaboration between NACOC and the public would be crucial in preventing Ghana from becoming a transit hub for international drug trafficking.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com