Interior Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka details financial networks behind illicit drug trade, announces GH¢6.9 million and $440,000 in restrained cash

Speaking on Monday, August 24, 2026, during the Government Accountability Series, the minister outlined efforts to disrupt financial networks supporting the drug trade. He stated that the campaign now targets individuals and networks financing and facilitating the trade, moving beyond just arresting users and distributors. Security agencies are tracing and restraining assets acquired through illicit drug proceeds while investigations and prosecutions proceed.

Muntaka reported that 73 assets linked to suspected drug activities have been traced, and about 19 kilograms of gold seized in suspected drug money-laundering cases. These seizures are part of a broader strategy to cut off financial support for the illicit drug trade. Between January 2025 and July 2026, security agencies seized over 8,500 kilograms of narcotic drugs and approximately 45.4 million tramadol tablets, leading to 217 arrests and 165 initiated prosecutions related to drug trafficking and abuse.

The government plans to continue intelligence-led operations to identify those behind the trade, trace their assets, and ensure suspected proceeds of crime are not retained during court proceedings.