Truckload of suspected indian hemp arrives at Police Command, half missing

A Hyundai 5-ton truck carrying over 100 sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp has sparked controversy at the Eastern Regional Police Command in Koforidua.

Officers say nearly half of the original load vanished before the truck arrived at the command.

The vehicle, registered ER 760-23, was first intercepted by a police patrol team on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Under instructions from the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Twumasi Ankrah, the truck was later driven to the command by Service Driver Chief Inspector Daniel Addo on October 1.

Upon arrival, officers noted that the contents had been tampered with. Several sacks were found replaced with sawdust, leaving the truck only partially filled compared to what was originally seized.

Earlier, Asesewa District Police Commander, Superintendent Francis Ackah, had refused to release the truck to the regional operations team, insisting he would personally escort it. Despite this, the consignment arrived in Koforidua with discrepancies.

Meanwhile, two suspects linked to the consignment, identified as Sulley Abubakari and Sadat, were missing when the truck reached the command. Reports indicate they escaped custody after being held at the Sekesua Police Station.

The case has also raised questions about police handling of the operation. Three officers who first intercepted the vehicle were detained briefly, handed over to the regional operations commander, and later held at the KTU Police Station. They were eventually released after the intervention of Deputy Minister of Interior, Ebenezer Terlabi Okletey, but have since been instructed to provide written statements.

The development has stirred unease within the Eastern Regional Command, with some officers expressing frustration over what they described as unfair treatment of colleagues who risked their lives during the seizure.