Ten arrested over alleged cannabis distribution at Koforidua Technical University SRC Week

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has arrested 10 people accused of distributing cannabis and cannabis-infused products during Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Week celebrations at Koforidua Technical University (KTU).

The suspects – nine men and one woman – were detained on Friday night after an intelligence-led operation on the university campus. The operation followed reports of suspected drug-related activity during the celebrations.

NACOC said its officers recovered a quantity of suspected cannabis along with a range of consumable products believed to have been infused with the narcotic. The items seized included wraps of suspected cannabis, cups of “abele” ice cream, bottles of pineapple juice, sobolo drinks, fresh palm wine and other beverages.

The Commission said preliminary field tests carried out on the exhibits indicated the presence of cannabis. The results strengthened suspicions that the products had been prepared for distribution to people attending the SRC Week events.

The 10 suspects are assisting NACOC with its investigation as officers work to establish the full scale of the alleged operation. Investigators are also seeking to determine whether other people may have been involved in what the Commission described as a suspected illegal drug distribution network.

NACOC has not provided further details about the identities of those arrested or indicated whether any charges have been filed. The investigation remains ongoing.

The arrests came after intelligence gathered about possible drug-related activities at the university, prompting the Commission to conduct the operation during the Friday night celebrations. NACOC said the seizure of both cannabis and the suspected infused products formed part of efforts to disrupt the alleged distribution of narcotics within an educational environment.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting educational institutions from drug-related activities. It also urged students and members of the public to remain alert and report suspicious behaviour to the appropriate authorities.

The suspected presence of cannabis in products such as ice cream, pineapple juice, sobolo, palm wine and other beverages is central to the investigation. NACOC’s preliminary tests will be followed by further inquiries as the authorities seek to verify how the products were obtained, prepared and distributed during the KTU SRC Week celebrations.

The Commission said the arrested individuals would remain available to assist with the investigation while it continued efforts to identify anyone else connected to the alleged activity.