By Sarah Baafi
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has launched a festive-season anti-drug crackdown dubbed Operation White Ember, carrying out coordinated, intelligence-led raids on drug dens across the Eastern and Greater Accra regions to safeguard lives during the Christmas period.
The operation forms part of a broader effort to keep communities safe over the holidays, with teams focusing on areas known for open drug peddling and abuse.
Officers targeted hotspots ranging from Mamfe and Tutu in the Eastern Region to Madina Redco Flats and Zongo Junction, as well as the railway slums around Airport City in Accra, dismantling several drug hubs in the process. On Boxing Day, the operation extended to Tema Community 1 and Teshie Nungua, where dozens of suspects were arrested and quantities of narcotic substances were seized with support from NACOC’s K9 unit. Additional patrols were also mounted at major malls and beaches in the capital to deter traffickers and protect revellers.
According to the Commission, the exhibits recovered, including ecstasy, methamphetamine and cannabis-laced alcoholic drinks, represent “thousands of lives saved from the brink of addiction” this December, highlighting the human impact behind the arrests and seizures. NACOC said that whether on the beaches of the capital, in busy public areas or within inner-city slums, its core objective is to ensure the festive season remains a time of joy and family celebration rather than one marred by drug-related tragedy.
The operation has so far led to the arrest of 72 suspects, with residents in several communities reportedly cheering as officers removed suspected drug peddlers from their streets. Beyond enforcement, operatives also used the opportunity to carry out on-the-spot public education, sensitising residents to the dangers of drug abuse, its impact on neighbourhood safety and the importance of community cooperation in exposing dealers and traffickers.
NACOC has assured the public that Operation White Ember will continue in the coming days and months, beyond the festive period, as part of a sustained nationwide effort to curb drug trafficking and consumption. The Commission said it remains committed to combining firm enforcement with community outreach to create a safer environment for all Ghanaians during the holidays and beyond.
