Police in the Ashanti South Region have seized a large consignment of suspected prohibited drugs on the Obuasi-Dunkwa highway and arrested five people, including a bus driver and four women who allegedly attempted to bribe officers with GH¢50,000.
The interception took place on February 13, 2026 at the Tweapease Police barrier when officers stopped a red OA Kia Grandbird bus travelling towards Ayamfuri near Dunkwa-On-Offin in the Central Region.
According to a press release issued by the Ashanti South Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Joseph Hammond Nyaaba, a search of the bus uncovered two sealed brown boxes containing assorted drugs.
The consignment comprised 257 packs of 50 milligram tramadol, 58 packs of 250 milligram tramadol, also known as Red, and 58 packs of 225 milligram tapentadol, also known as Royal.
The driver of the bus, Joseph Nkrumah, 37, was arrested at the scene. During interrogation, he reportedly mentioned a woman identified as Perpetual, a native of Ayamfuri, as the owner of the drugs.
Police say that on the following day, February 14, while investigations were ongoing, the said Perpetual, together with three other women, Diana Mensah, 40, Abena Neyea, 43, and Nana Akua, 35, arrived at the same police barrier with GH¢50,000 in cash in an alleged attempt to influence officers handling the case.
The money was taken as evidence and the four women were immediately arrested to assist with investigations.
All five suspects are expected to be put before court on Monday, February 16, 2026. They are to be charged under the Public Health Act, 2012, Act 851, which prohibits the sale of certain drugs, herbal medicinal products, cosmetics, medical devices and other household chemical substances without authorisation.
In the statement, the Ashanti South Regional Police Command warned individuals engaged in drug trafficking and related crimes to stay away from the region, stressing that the command will continue to intensify operations to clamp down on illegal activities.
The latest seizure adds to growing concerns about the circulation of high dose tramadol and other controlled substances, which authorities say pose serious risks to public health, especially among young people.
