- NACOC and Ghana Prisons Service search Nsawam Prison for drugs.
- No drugs found, contradicting popular opinion of prisons as drug hubs.
- Search operation to be extended to all prisons nationwide.
A joint operation between the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and the Ghana Prisons Service has led to a security search at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison in the Eastern Region. The nine-member NACOC team, accompanied by 20 operations officers from the Prisons Service, conducted the search on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
The exercise aimed to retrieve narcotic drugs from the facility, but surprisingly, no drugs were found. The search was extensive, covering inmates, cells, workshops, classrooms, church, mosque, hospital, and every area accessible to inmates. The outer perimeter wall of the prison facility was also searched for any hidden drugs.
The NACOC officers were accompanied by five security dogs, which were released into the cells and every area of the facility. However, the sniffer dogs did not detect any narcotic drugs.
Assistant Director of Prisons Andrews Osei, the Second-in-Command of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, expressed his appreciation to the NACOC officers for the exercise. He assured the team that the prison facility would continue its routine searches to prevent narcotic drugs and other contraband from entering the prison environment.
NCO Bernard Tetteh, the head of the K9 Unit of NACOC and leader of the team, emphasized that narcotic drug use has become a public health issue, particularly among the youth. He highlighted the negative effects of drug use on mental health, including anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, mental instability, increased irritability, and anger.
The exercise aimed to search and retrieve narcotic drugs in the prison facility, contrary to the popular opinion that prisons are breeding grounds for illegal drugs. NCO Tetteh commended the authorities of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison for their effective collaboration and openness during the exercise.
He also applauded the management of the Prisons Service for ensuring a narcotic-free facility, despite the popular opinion that there is an influx of narcotic drugs in prison facilities. The successful exercise has set a precedent for future searches in other prison facilities across the country.
NACOC is expected to extend the exercise to all prison facilities nationwide, aiming to rid the prisons of narcotic drugs and promote a safe and healthy environment for inmates and officers.
The collaboration between NACOC and the Ghana Prisons Service demonstrates a commitment to addressing the issue of drug use and promoting public health and safety.
The exercise serves as a warning to those who may attempt to introduce narcotic drugs into the prison facility, as the authorities are vigilant and committed to maintaining a drug-free environment.
