The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested six individuals for allegedly dealing in unregistered pharmaceutical products during an intelligence-led operation at the Airport Roundabout in Kumasi.

The suspects were picked up on Monday, June 29, in a joint operation involving officers from the Ashanti Regional Police Command and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team from Accra.

In a statement signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Command, DSP Godwin Ahianyo, the suspects were identified as Abdul Karim Ramadan (20), Wisdom Pakindam Jatuat (38), Razak Issahaku (37), Abdul Rahman Yakubu (45), Iddrisu Mohammed (26), and Nana Abio Godwin (27).

According to the police, the suspects were intercepted while travelling in a DAF XF truck with registration number AW 511321.

A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered 17 fertiliser sacks containing suspected unregistered pharmaceutical tablets.

The statement indicated that the seized items included ten sacks of tablets labelled “Dyclosa 50mg” and seven sacks labelled “Royal Chest and Lungs.”

The suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be arraigned after the completion of the investigative process.

Police said the seized products have been retained as exhibits and will be handed over to the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for further analysis to determine their registration status, composition and compliance with Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).

The Ashanti Regional Police Command reiterated its commitment to combating the illegal trade in pharmaceutical products in collaboration with the FDA and other relevant agencies.

It also urged the public to provide timely information on suspicious activities involving the sale or distribution of unapproved medicines.