The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has raised concerns over a growing trend where some members of the public demand financial rewards before providing information on suspected drug activities.
He said that while intelligence from citizens remains critical in the fight against narcotics trafficking, some whistleblowers now expect monetary compensation before sharing information with security agencies.
Major General Mantey made the comments when he appeared before Parliament’s Assurances Committee on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, amid renewed attention on Ghana’s role in international drug trafficking following the seizure of 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed in a charcoal shipment from Ghana and intercepted in Australia.
He said drug traffickers were constantly developing new methods to evade law enforcement agencies, making collaboration between NACOC and the public essential.
“Each day, the traffickers evolve new strategies and try to go ahead of us. They connect, and they cooperate among themselves as to how to outwit them,” he said.
Major General Mantey said NACOC relies heavily on intelligence from citizens to disrupt drug networks but expressed concern about the expectation of financial rewards attached to some information.
“But as my minister said, we base most of our measures on intelligence. The only thing is that Ghanaians now have become a bit demanding so when they send you intelligence, they demand money,” he said.
He recounted an instance where an individual sought a substantial personal benefit in exchange for providing information.
“There was a time somebody came to me and said, if I could build him a house, he would help me do a lot. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do that,” he said.
The NACOC Director-General, however, assured the Assurances Committee that the Commission remained committed to working with citizens and other stakeholders to combat narcotics trafficking.
He said the agency would continue to pursue intelligence-led operations despite the evolving tactics of drug traffickers.
The comments come as Ghanaian security agencies intensify efforts to disrupt international drug networks following recent cases involving narcotics shipments linked to Ghana.
Authorities have repeatedly encouraged citizens to provide credible information to support anti-drug operations, with the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, previously stating that public intelligence contributes significantly to successful drug busts.
Major General Mantey said continued cooperation between NACOC and the public would remain crucial in preventing Ghana from becoming a transit route for international drug trafficking.
