The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) officials and other collaborators at the Aflao border have arrested Hawa Fuseini, a passenger on a Nagode Transport vehicle with registration number TG 5846 BN with contraband aphrodisiacs on Friday.
The Nagode Bus, being driven by Babayara Rashid, was carrying the above non-compliant products loaded from Lome-Togo enroute to Accra and was uncovered at the Vehicle examination section of the Aflao Border, during a joint examination on the bus, at about 1730 hrs.
The Officials uncovered Viagra (sildanifil), Spanish gold fly, Diazepam groups, Rohypnol and tramadol red, which were concealed in Cream Cracker biscuits carton and therefore caused the detention of Hawa Fuseini, name on suspect’s Ghana Card but the manifest and seat number of the Nagode Transport referred to her as ‘Assindo Awa.
Mr Gorden Akurugu, Volta Regional Director of FDA, who briefed the Ghana News Agency, when contacted said the concealment of the drugs presumed intention of smuggling the contraband drugs into the country through unauthorized border, hence the arrest.
He said their assessment revealed the drugs were not registered and therefore its efficacy could not be ascertained and being accompanied by unprofessional person, when such drugs are not allowed to move along inland borders.
He stated that the designated ports for the importation of such drugs into the country were the Kotoka International Airport and the Tema Harbour, saying anything else constitute an aberration of the regulation.
Mr Akurugu urged importers and prospective ones to follow due process and regulations to avoid falling into the hands of the law, which is punitive.
He sounded a warning to Ghana’s neighbours to remain vigilant and disallow criminal entities from using their borders to smuggle fake drugs into the sub-region, saying with collaboration and networking the fight for sub-standard drugs would be won with greater vigilance.
He disclosed that FDA’s operations at the borders have turned 24 hours maneuvers and are carrying out 100 per cent inspection of all entry and exit at the borders to stem the frolicking trade in drugs that are commonly abused by the youth.
The Regional Director disclosed that suspect Hawa would be arraigned in court on Monday, May 12, 2025.
The Aflao District Police Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) ERIC BAMFO confirmed the arrest of the suspect, who will be arraigned in court Monday, May 12.
GNA
MA/GRB
May 11, 2025
Pic attached
