Two men, Mumuni Iddrisu and Alhassan Braimah, have been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment each for the unlawful possession of tramadol hydrochloride, following a joint operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in the North East Region.

The convicts were arrested on September 18, 2025, at Gbintiri near Nalerigu, along with four others, after authorities intercepted 1,195 boxes of tramadol hydrochloride (120mg), a restricted pharmaceutical drug commonly known as “Red.”

Police investigations revealed that 100 boxes were found directly in their possession, while over 4,500 additional packs had been concealed in 25 yellow five-litre gallons.

When arraigned before the Nalerigu Circuit Court, Iddrisu and Braimah pleaded guilty to two counts — conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of restricted drugs without lawful authority.

Presiding Judge, Justice Francis Asobayire, sentenced each man to 10 years in prison on each count, to run consecutively, amounting to 20 years. He also imposed a fine of 5,000 penalty units (GH¢60,000), with a default penalty of an additional 10 years’ imprisonment.

The four other accused persons were discharged due to insufficient evidence.

Police have since commended the Nalerigu Youth Association and residents of the North East Region for supporting the operation and reiterated a strong warning to individuals involved in drug trafficking that they will face the full force of the law.