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NACOB destroys 8 tonnes of marijuana worth one million Cedis

NACOB destroys 8 tonnes of marijuana worth one million Cedis

The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) on Wednesday destroyed a total of eight tonnes of cannabis and kart products worth one-million Cedis intercepted by the agency at the Bundase Military Training Camp in Accra.

The destruction of the seized contraband products were part of activities to commemorate this year's International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. 

The day is observed annually on June 26th to create awareness about the dangers in the use and trade of illicit drugs.

Illicit drugs

The Deputy Executive Secretary of NACOB, Mr Michael Addo, said the exercise was to send signal to individuals and cartels dealing in the contraband drugs that the agency would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute as well as destroying those seized illicit drugs.

He said contraband drugs were dangerous to the development of any nation and that NACOB would continue to make the trade highly unattractive for the players involved.

Mr Addo said some of the items were intercepted by the agency after June 26th in 2018 to date, and that on every June 26th, the agency destroyed illicit drugs it had seized and had received judgement on them by the courts.

According to him, there were still some contraband drugs their possession, waiting for judgement in order to be destroyed.

He said the destroyed cannabis and karts were intercepted at the airports and the harbours, where the owners were in the process of transporting them outside the country.

Arrest

"We arrest, prosecute and at the end of the day, we come and destroy them here," Mr Addo noted.

He said although the karts were not grown in Ghana and were mostly grown in the East African countries, dealers in the drugs used Ghana to transport to Europe.

He also explained some were intercepted in cargo cars transporting foodstuff and charcoal from the hinterlands.

Mr Addo has therefore warned individuals dealing in illicit drugs to desist from the practice as the agency would not spare them when arrested.

He also implored parents to be more vigilant on their children who were in school in order for them (the children) not to fall prey to illicit drug use.

He said many drug addicts got into the drug use during their schools days as many students could be easily influenced negatively if they were not guided.

Efforts

The Greater Accra Regional Commander of NACOB, Mr Rodgar Vanderpuye, "We help children to avoid initiation into drug use, and those already in it, we help them to avoid disorders, which is getting dependent on the drugs."

He said NACOB did not only prevent, arrest, and prosecute offenders in illicit drugs, it helped in building a healthy and sound workforce for the country.

"We are building a solid workforce by preventing illicit drug use," he said, adding "Early use of drugs may lead to addiction."

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