BY Daniel Bampoe
In a decisive move to stem the growing threat of illicit drug abuse during the festive season, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has launched a sweeping nationwide enforcement campaign dubbed “Operation White Ember,” targeting known drug enclaves across parts of the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions.
The intelligence-led operation, which unfolded in the days leading up to and immediately after Christmas, saw NACOC officers descend on several notorious drug-prone communities, including Mamfe and Tutu in the Eastern Region, as well as Madina Redco Flats, Zongo Junction, Airport City slums, Tema Community One, and Teshie Nungua.
The coordinated raids formed part of a broader strategy to disrupt the distribution and consumption of narcotics during a period traditionally associated with heightened social activity.
According to NACOC officials, the operation was not a random sweep but the result of weeks of surveillance, intelligence gathering, and community tip-offs.
Specially trained K9 units were deployed to assist officers in detecting concealed narcotics, leading to the seizure of various illicit substances including methamphetamine, ecstasy, and cannabis-infused alcoholic beverages.
Dozens of suspected drug dealers and users were arrested and are currently assisting investigations.
Beyond the arrests, the Commission underscored the broader public health and safety objective of the operation. Officials noted that the substances intercepted during the raids represent potential harm to thousands of young people, particularly during a season when drug experimentation and abuse tend to rise.
NACOC described the operation as a proactive effort to prevent loss of life, addiction, and crime linked to narcotics consumption.
In several communities, residents reportedly poured onto the streets to witness the operations, many openly expressing relief and support for the enforcement teams.
Officers took the opportunity to engage residents, especially the youth, with on-the-spot sensitization sessions highlighting the dangers of drug abuse and the long-term social consequences of drug-related crime.
Patrols were also extended to recreational hotspots, beaches, and shopping areas across Accra, as part of a broader security architecture aimed at ensuring a peaceful festive season.
According to NACOC, these interventions are part of a sustained national strategy rather than a one-off exercise.
