The Greater Accra Police Command has identified two suspects, Mark Bangel and Zakaria Arafat, who allegedly attempted to bribe a police commander with GH₵30,000 to secure the release of a narcotics-laden truck seized at Abofu. According to reports, the truck was intercepted by the Bravo SWAT Unit on September 11, 2026, at Abofu, near Achimota. The vehicle, bearing registration number GN 5581-13, was travelling from Kpandai towards Accra when it was flagged down.
The occupants of the Kia Rhino truck abandoned it and fled into the bush upon spotting the police presence. A search of the deserted truck uncovered 175 compressed slabs of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs, concealed inside three sacks and three "Ghana Must Go" bags. The truck and the seized substances were taken to the Accra Regional Police Headquarters for further investigation. The police have implicated a third individual, identified only as Salam, who allegedly drove the truck and its contents from Kpandai to Accra.
Mark Bangel, a trader from Kpandai in the Oti Region, and Zakaria Arafat, a mechanic from Kpando in the Volta Region, were arrested by the Greater Accra Police Command. Investigators allege that the two men attempted to influence the Bravo SWAT Unit Commander by offering him GH₵30,000 to secure the release of the vehicle and the drugs. Officers say the pair were arrested on the spot and the alleged bribe money was recovered.
The Abofu case is part of a broader national push against narcotics trafficking along Ghana's roads and ports. Recently, five people were arrested in a Tamale scrapyard raid that turned up pistols and drugs. Defence Minister Nitiwul has also clarified that the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has not withdrawn from Ghana's ports, despite the end of certain joint checks with other agencies.
The case underscores concerns about how narcotics move through Ghana's road networks and the risk of corruption within enforcement itself. The alleged attempt to bribe a serving police commander rather than simply evade capture has raised questions about the involvement of law enforcement in narcotics trafficking. The Bravo SWAT Unit is a specialised police tactical team deployed for high-risk operations, while NACOC is the state agency mandated to combat drug trafficking and abuse in Ghana.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the third suspect, Salam. The police investigations are ongoing, and no court date or further details on possible charges against Bangel and Arafat have been announced. The Greater Accra Police Command is handling the case, and the public is urged to provide any information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining suspect.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating narcotics trafficking in Ghana. The police have urged the public to cooperate with them in the fight against narcotics trafficking. The case is a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public to combat the menace of narcotics trafficking in the country.
Key points
- Two suspects, Mark Bangel and Zakaria Arafat, have been arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a police commander with GH₵30,000.
- The suspects were arrested in connection with a narcotics-laden truck seized at Abofu, near Achimota.
- A third suspect, Salam, is still at large and efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest him.
