NACOC Raids at Palladium: Three Stand Trial for Narcotic Offences

The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, has begun hearing a narcotics case involving three accused persons arrested during a major bust by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) at Palladium, Accra, last month.

The accused -Osuman Ali alias Gaza (40), Mizpah Abena Boadi (27), and AyikuShamsudeen alias Showdem (24) – have been charged with eight counts, including conspiracy to commit narcotics-related crimes, unlawful possession of narcotic and restricted drugs, and engaging in the prohibited sale of drugs.

The prosecution, led by ASP Andrew Owusu Agyemang, outlined that on June 18, 2025, the suspects were apprehended during a targeted operation at MMG Plus Pub, a location identified through surveillance as a hotspot for illegal drug activity.

Following two months of intelligence gathering and undercover operations, NACOC officers conducted a raid at the bar and adjoining premises, where they discovered:

1,251 multi-colored pills suspected to be MDMA (Ecstasy), 10 round-like substances suspected to be Hashish, 34 wrapped dried leaves believed to be Cannabis, 19 bottles of Benylin with Codeine, 70 tablets of Tramaking Tramadol (225 mg), 35 tablets of Rophynol (Flunitrazepam 1mg) and Two weighing scales and other drug paraphernalia.

A Mitsubishi Pajero belonging to suspect Ali also contained additional drugs and high-value items suspected to be proceeds of crime.  Among them were gold and silver jewellery, electronic gadgets, cash amounting to GH¢9,353, multiple laptops and iPads, and portable electronic scales.

Field testing of the substances returned positive results for MDMA, cannabis, and hashish. The seized narcotics have been sent to the Ghana Standards Authority for further laboratory analysis, while the restricted medicines have been referred to the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for verification.

Statements and Investigations

During preliminary investigations, Osuman Ali admitted to owning all the seized items except for the MDMA pills, which he claimed were given to him by a Nigerian national as collateral for a debt. Mizpah Abena Boadi, his girlfriend and co-resident at Palladium, claimed she had warned Ali against the illegal trade.

AyikuShamsudeen stated he was only employed to sell non-alcoholic drinks, a claim contradicted by a NACOC undercover operative who had allegedly purchased hashish from him.

The suspects were initially remanded on June 26 as investigations progressed.

Bail Conditions

On July 2, 2025, Her Honour Adjei-Tawiah granted all three suspects bail with strict conditions:

A1 (Osuman Ali): Bail set at GH¢100,000 with two sureties, one of whom must be a civil servant earning not less than GH¢2,000 and the other to justify with landed property. He must deposit his valid passport and report to police every Wednesday.

A2 (Mizpah Abena Boadi): Bail set at GH¢60,000 under similar conditions. A3 (AyikuShamsudeen): Bail set at GH¢20,000 with matching surety requirements.The court will next hear the case on July 17

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