The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has disrupted an illegal trade in narcotic-laced consumables following a coordinated intelligence-led operation at Koforidua Technical University (KTU).
The swoop, carried out during the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Hall Week celebrations between Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2026, led to the arrest of ten students for trafficking cannabis-infused drinks and ice creams.
Among those apprehended was the suspected ringleader, 23-year-old Priscilla Tetteh, together with nine young men believed to be part of a network engaged in the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis-infused products on campus. The suspects were caught while actively trading the illicit items to students and patrons at the event.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the group had established an organized operation for the distribution of cannabis-laced consumables, posing a serious threat to public health and the safety of young people. NACOC described the arrests as a successful disruption of an emerging criminal enterprise exploiting social events and educational institutions to promote narcotic abuse among the youth.
The Commission reiterated that cannabis-infused food, beverages, and other edibles containing controlled substances remain illegal, warning that individuals who manufacture, distribute, possess, or sell such products will face the full rigours of the law.
NACOC expressed grave concern over the growing trend of young people commercializing narcotic substances under the guise of entertainment and entrepreneurship. It stressed that educational institutions must remain centres of learning, innovation, and character development, not safe havens for drug trafficking and substance abuse.
The Commission commended the professionalism of its officers whose intelligence gathering, surveillance, and swift operational response ensured the successful execution of the operation without incident. It assured the public of intensified intelligence-led operations nationwide to dismantle criminal networks involved in narcotic trafficking, particularly those targeting students and vulnerable groups.
NACOC has called on parents, university authorities, student leaders, and the general public to remain vigilant and collaborate with the Commission by reporting suspected drug-related activities. “The fight against illicit drugs is a shared national responsibility, and together we can protect our campuses and communities from the devastating effects of substance abuse,” it stated.
The suspects remain in NACOC custody and will be processed in accordance with the law.
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