Mother and son in custody over GHc87k drug haul in Dormaa Ahenkro

In a major intelligence-led operation, the Bono Regional Drug Law Enforcement Unit has arrested a 66-year-old woman and her 29-year-old son following the discovery of a large cache of suspected narcotics and cash worth over GH¢87,000 at their residence in Dormaa Ahenkro.

The suspects, identified as Mary Awuni and Maxwell Akukah, were apprehended at Kumi Daa Street (KDS), a suburb within the Dormaa Central Municipality, as part of intensified efforts by security agencies to clamp down on drug trafficking in the region.

The Haul

During a thorough search of the premises, police recovered a staggering quantity of illicit substances, including:

· 147 yellow compressed slabs wrapped in sellotape, suspected to be Indian hemp
· 270 boxes and 329 blisters of assorted Tramadol
· 14 blisters of Rohypnol
· GH¢87,751 in cash and CFA 2,000

Conflicting Accounts

The operation revealed a more complex picture as officers discovered incriminating items in separate rooms occupied by the two suspects.

Mary Awuni was found in possession of a metal trunk containing the 14 blisters of Rohypnol, GH¢72,612, and the CFA 2,000. In her initial statement, she claimed that the money and items had been given to her by a man in Accra for onward delivery to another person in Côte d’Ivoire. However, she admitted ownership of the items found in her room.

Her son, Maxwell Akukah, who was arrested in a separate room, was found with the bulk of the suspected Indian hemp, Tramadol, and GH¢15,139 in cash. He denied any knowledge of the contraband, telling investigators that the items belonged to his brother, Anthony, who was reportedly outside Dormaa Ahenkro at the time of the arrest.

Police Statement

Confirming the arrests in a press release, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, Public Relations Officer for the Bono Regional Police Command, stated that both suspects remain in custody assisting with investigations.

“The Command assures the public of its commitment to combating narcotics-related offences and urges the public to continue providing credible information to support the Police in protecting communities and maintaining public safety,” he added.

The police have indicated that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend any other accomplices involved in the drug ring, with the suspects facing prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.