By Franklin Asare-Donkoh
The Damongo Circuit Court in the Savannah Region has convicted six individuals for offences related to illicit drugs.
Each convict was fined no less than 500 penalty units.
In a related development, the Savannah Regional branch of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has destroyed quantities of illicit drugs and other illegal substances worth millions of Ghana cedis.
The substances were seized during joint operations by personnel from the Ghana Police Service and NACOC as part of efforts to curb the growing menace of drug abuse and trafficking.
Speaking to journalists after the exercise, the Savannah Regional Minister, Mr Salisu Be-Awuribe, said the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) had declared the use of illicit drugs strictly prohibited as part of intensified operations to clamp down on drug peddlers and users in the region.
“This is just part of the ongoing exercise that we have taken up very seriously. We are happy the court is giving these sanctions and ordering the destruction of these illicit substances,” he said.
The Savannah Regional Commander of NACOC, Madam Rashida Ewuntomah, said the establishment of district and municipal offices within the region would strengthen efforts to track and combat the circulation of illicit drugs and other illegal substances.
“We are hoping it will be more effective and stronger as we embark on these activities. With the presence of officers in these districts, they will have firsthand information for us. Before that happens, we are trying our best and working hard to bring offenders to book,” she noted.
