Ada drug haul: Navy intercepts two boats with 4.7 tonnes of suspected cannabis

A naval operation at the Ada Estuary has led to the seizure of 117 sacks of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, with an estimated weight of 4.7 tonnes and a street value exceeding US$1 million.

The Ghana Navy said the consignment was found aboard two wooden boats during an operation conducted by its Riverine Command in partnership with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and National Security.

The substances, identified as dried leaves and packed in more than 80 parcels per sack, were suspected to have been destined for export, based on preliminary intelligence gathered by the security agencies.

However, the occupants of the boats reportedly escaped after noticing the approaching naval personnel, abandoning the vessels and their cargo at the scene.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Thursday, November 5, 2026, the Navy said the operation formed part of efforts to strengthen security along the Volta Lake and surrounding communities.

Director of Naval Operations at Naval Headquarters, Captain Festus Osei Brobbey, said a riverine detachment had been deployed to deter illegal activities and improve security along the waterway. He also highlighted the importance of intelligence-led operations and sustained surveillance, commending residents for providing information that supports security efforts.

The Ada East District Chief Executive and Chairman of the District Security Committee, Kenneth Kofi Kabu Kanor, urged residents to prevent the Volta Lake from being exploited as a corridor for drug trafficking and report suspicious activities to security agencies.