Okaija was apprehended at the Aflao border while attempting to flee the country to Togo en route to France. His arrest follows days of intense surveillance and a manhunt by NACOC operatives.

Authorities say the suspect played a central role in the botched smuggling attempt and will face prosecution in accordance with Ghana’s narcotics laws.

The Commission expressed appreciation to all individuals and agencies who assisted in the operation.

Source: AdomOnline

ALSO READ:

• Mahama meets families of helicopter crash victims [Photos]

• Helicopter crash: Asantehene sympathises with Mahama

Hawa remains in police custody due to her inability to meet the bail conditions, which include two sureties—one of which must be justified.

She, however, pleaded guilty with explanation to the two charges and is expected to reappear in court on May 28.

Narrating her situation, Hawa told the court that she had been unwell and had stayed in Lomé, Togo, receiving treatment for three months. She explained that upon returning to Ghana, she was advised to deal in aphrodisiacs to earn a living.

She said she obliged and received the products on credit to start a business in Accra but was arrested at the border and pleaded for leniency.

Police Inspector Albert Kumbor, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Joseph Behome that Hawa was arrested at the Aflao border by a team from the Food and Drugs Authority and other collaborators for attempting to smuggle a quantity of unregistered pharmaceutical products.

He said Hawa was en route to Accra on a Nagode Transport vehicle with registration number TG 5846 BN when she was arrested on May 9 at about 5:30 p.m. with packets of 200mg Mygra Sildenafil Citrate and 200mg Heira Sildenafil Citrate aphrodisiacs.

The consignment, he added, was concealed in a Cream Cracker carton and was discovered by the inspection team.

ALSO READ:

• FDA and collaborators at the Aflao border nab woman with fake aphrodisiacs

• 4 arrested over killing of Mobile Money vendor in Aflao

The arrest took place on Friday during a joint examination at the vehicle inspection section of the Aflao border at about 17:30 hours. The vehicle, driven by Babayara Rashid, was carrying unregistered pharmaceutical products loaded from Lomé, Togo, and en route to Accra.

Authorities discovered Viagra (sildenafil), Spanish Gold Fly, Diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol Red concealed in a Cream Cracker biscuit carton. The suspect was identified as Hawa Fuseini, according to her Ghana Card. However, the Nagode Transport passenger manifest and seat number listed her as “Assindo Awa.”

Mr. Gorden Akurugu, Volta Regional Director of the FDA, told the Ghana News Agency that the concealment suggested an intentional effort to smuggle the drugs into the country through an unauthorised entry point.

He noted that the drugs were unregistered, and therefore, their safety and efficacy could not be guaranteed. Additionally, they were being transported by an unlicensed individual, violating FDA regulations that prohibit such movement of pharmaceutical products through inland borders.

Mr. Akurugu emphasized that only designated ports such as the Kotoka International Airport and the Tema Harbour are authorised for the importation of such drugs. Any other entry point constitutes a breach of the law.

He urged importers and prospective traders to adhere to the required procedures to avoid legal consequences.

Mr. Akurugu also warned neighbouring countries to be vigilant and prevent their territories from being used as routes for smuggling counterfeit drugs into Ghana and the sub-region. He stressed that through cross-border collaboration and heightened vigilance, the fight against substandard drugs could be won.

He disclosed that the FDA’s operations at the borders now run 24 hours and involve 100 percent inspection of all entries and exits to curb the rampant smuggling of drugs, which are commonly abused by the youth.

The suspect, Hawa Fuseini, is expected to be arraigned before court on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Aflao District Police Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Eric Bamfo, confirmed the arrest.

ALSO READ:

• FDA intensifies crackdown on fake diapers amid growing health concerns

• FDA destroys massive haul of opioids seized in joint operation [Photos]

ALSO READ:

• 35 Togolese nationals arrested, repatriated at Aflao border

• Speaker Bagbin orders probe into Immigration assault video at Aflao border [Video]

The officers, who were on patrol duties at Beat 6 of the Aflao border, were accosted by some yet-to-be-identified persons who pelted them with stones for undisclosed reasons.

The attackers were, however, dispersed by warning shots from the patrol team ahead of the arrival of a reinforcement team of Immigration Officers.

One bystander, however, sustained injuries from a gunshot and is currently responding to treatment.

Three officers of the team sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Ketu South Municipal Hospital under stiff security.

This was announced by the Management of GIS who condemned the attack on it’s officers in a press statement.

“We condemn the attack in no uncertain terms and advise border residents of Aflao, commuters and citizens, in general, to consider border officials as people working ultimately for the safety of our motherland. While we appreciate the cooperation and support from border residents and citizens as a whole, these attacks on Officers by some members of the public must stop immediately.”

The Management of GIS averred that they will continue to keep a close eye on the situation at Aflao, and all necessary mechanisms will be deployed to keep border security uncompromised.

Management calls on all Officers, especially at the Aflao Sector Command, to remain resolute and not be deterred by the unfortunate incident.

READ ON

• 15 passengers injured in accident at Gomoa Mprumem

• Tamale: One dead, others injured in renewed clashes at Yong Dakpemyili

• ECG commences operation of cashless system in Volta and Oti Regions