Two men, Mark Bangel, a trader from Kpandai in the Northern Region, and Zakaria Arafat, a mechanic from Kpando in the Volta Region, have been arrested in Accra for allegedly offering a bribe to a police officer. The bribe, amounting to GH¢30,000, was intended to secure the release of a truck loaded with 175 slabs of suspected narcotic drugs. The arrest was made at the Accra Regional Police Headquarters.
According to Chief Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs of the Accra Regional Police Command, the drugs were intercepted following information received by the police that suspected narcotic substances were being distributed to customers at Abofu, near Achimota. The police received the information on Friday, September 11, 2026, and subsequently traced the vehicle to Abofu.
The vehicle, a Kia Rhino truck with registration number GN 5581-13, was found abandoned by its occupants after they noticed the police. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 175 compressed slabs of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs, concealed in three sacks and three “Ghana Must Go” bags. The police later arrested the two suspects, who claimed ownership of the truck and the recovered substances.
The two suspects allegedly offered GH¢30,000 to the Bravo SWAT Unit Commander to secure the release of the truck and the suspected drugs. The money was retrieved by the police, leading to the arrest of the two suspects. Investigations have also revealed the name of a third suspect, identified only as Salam, who allegedly drove the truck and the suspected drugs from Kpandai to Accra.
The police are making efforts to arrest Salam, while the two suspects are assisting with investigations. The vehicle and the recovered substances have since been retained by the police as exhibits. The suspects' actions are considered a serious offense, and the police are working to uncover the full extent of their involvement in the narcotics trade.
The Accra Regional Police Command is working to curb the distribution of narcotic substances in the region. The command has been receiving information on suspected narcotic substances being distributed in various areas, and they have been working to intercept these substances. The arrest of the two suspects is a significant breakthrough in this effort.
The police are urging the public to provide information on suspected narcotic substances being distributed in their areas. They are also warning those involved in the narcotics trade that they will be arrested and prosecuted. The two suspects are currently in police custody, and their case is ongoing.
Key points
- Two men arrested in Accra for offering GH¢30,000 to a police officer to secure the release of a truck loaded with suspected narcotic drugs.
- The suspects, Mark Bangel and Zakaria Arafat, claimed ownership of the truck and the recovered substances.
- The police are making efforts to arrest a third suspect, identified only as Salam, who allegedly drove the truck and the suspected drugs from Kpandai to Accra.
