Ghana Police Service (GPS) in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in the North East Region have secured conviction for two of the six persons arrested at Gbintiri near Nalerigu on September 18, 2025, for the possession of 1,195 boxes of tramadol hydrochloride 120mg, popularly called Red, a restricted drug.

The six accused persons were put before the Nalerigu Circuit Court on Friday, September 19, and were remanded to reappear before the court on Friday, September 26.

"Investigation disclosed that 100 boxes of the tramadol were found in the possession of Mumuni Iddrisu and Alhassan Braimah," a police statement explained.

"It was further discovered that the two had also concealed over 4,500 packs of the restricted drug in 25 five-liter yellow gallons."

When the accused persons, Mumuni lddrisu and Alhassan Braimah, reappeared before the court on September 26, they pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and possession of restricted drugs without lawful authority and were convicted on their own plea.

"The Nalerigu Circuit Court presided over by His Lordship Justice Francis Asobayire sentenced each of the two convicted persons to ten years in prison on each count. The court also fined each of the two convicts five thousand (5000) penalty units; equivalent to sixty thousand Ghana Cedis (Ghs60, 000.00) and in default of payment of the fine, they are to serve further ten years imprisonment," the statement revealed.

"The two convicts have been taken to the Gambaga local prison to begin their sentences."

Police said the remaining four suspects; Yakubu Muntaka, Abdulai Shakur, Mumuni Yakubu and Moses Ayorik, were discharged by the court for want of prosecution as further investigation disclosed they were not linked to the crime. 

Police commended the people of the North East region, particularly, "the leadership of the Nalerigu Youth Association (NAYA) for their support and collaboration in the successful arrest and prosecution of the convicts".

"We would also like to caution all persons engaged in the illicit drug business in the Region to put a stop to the practice. Such individuals or group of persons would be made to face the full rigours of the law when caught," the statement ended.