The Greater Accra Police Command has arrested two men, Mark Bangel and Zakaria Arafat, for allegedly attempting to bribe a police officer with GH¢30,000 in a narcotics case. According to Superintendent Juliana Obeng, the incident occurred on September 11, 2026, when police intercepted a Kia Rhino truck suspected of transporting narcotic substances. The truck, registered as GN 5581-13, was travelling from Kpandai to Accra.
The police intercepted the truck at Abofu, near Achimota, after receiving intelligence about the suspected narcotics. The occupants abandoned the truck and fled upon spotting the police. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 175 compressed slabs of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs, concealed in three sacks and three “Ghana Must Go” bags. The truck and recovered items were taken to the Accra Regional Police Headquarters for further investigation.
Bangel and Arafat claimed ownership of the truck and recovered substances when they appeared at the police headquarters. However, police alleged that they attempted to influence the Bravo SWAT Unit Commander by offering him GH¢30,000 to secure the release of the truck and suspected narcotics. The two were arrested, and the alleged bribe money was retrieved by the police.
Investigations revealed that a third individual, identified as Salam, allegedly drove the truck and suspected narcotic substances from Kpandai to Accra. The police are working to locate and arrest Salam. Bangel, a trader from Kpandai in the Oti Region, and Arafat, a mechanic from Kpando in the Volta Region, are assisting with investigations.
The recovered substances and the truck are currently in police custody as exhibits. The allegations against the suspects have not yet been tested before a court. The incident highlights the efforts of the Greater Accra Police Command to combat narcotics trafficking in the region.
The police continue to investigate the case, and further details are expected to be revealed as the investigation unfolds. The public is urged to provide any information that may lead to the arrest of Salam and other individuals involved in narcotics trafficking.
The case is one of several recent narcotics-related arrests made by the police in Ghana. The authorities have been working to curb the trafficking and distribution of narcotic substances in the country, with several high-profile cases reported in recent months.
Key points
- Two men arrested for attempting to bribe police with GH¢30,000 in a narcotics case
- The incident occurred on September 11, 2026, when police intercepted a truck suspected of transporting narcotic substances
- The police are working to locate and arrest a third individual, Salam, allegedly involved in the case
