The Manhyia District Police Command has arrested two men after intercepting 100 compressed parcels of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs concealed in fertiliser sacks during an intelligence-led operation at Asawase Market in Kumasi.
The operation led to the arrest of Osman Bassein, 37, and Mohammed Abdul-Razak, 38, who are in police custody assisting with investigations.
The suspected narcotics have been secured for forensic examination, while the suspects are expected to be processed in line with the law after investigations are completed.
A statement issued by the Ashanti Regional Police Command and signed by the Head of its Public Affairs Unit, Superintendent of Police Godwin Ahianyo, said the operation was carried out on July 21, 2026, following intelligence that suspected narcotic drugs were being transported in fertiliser sacks.
It said a team led by the Manhyia District Commander, with support from personnel of the Manhyia Divisional Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Zongo Police Station, moved to Asawase Market and arrested the two suspects.
The statement said a search conducted in the presence of independent witnesses led to the retrieval of 13 fertiliser sacks.
It explained that an inspection of the sacks revealed second-hand clothing concealing 100 compressed parcels of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs.
According to the statement, the exhibits were photographed at the scene in line with evidential procedures before being secured for forensic examination to establish the exact nature of the substances.
The statement added that the suspects remain in police custody and are assisting with investigations.
It said they would be processed in accordance with the law after investigations are concluded.
Supt Ahianyo commended members of the public for providing information that supported the operation and appealed to residents to continue reporting suspicious activities to the police through the emergency numbers 18555, 191 and 112.
