The Bono East Regional Police Command has arrested two suspects and seized a quantity of suspected contraband, including foreign cigarettes and suspected sodium cyanide, during an intelligence-led operation at Jema.
The operation was conducted on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, by the Bono East Regional Police Intelligence Directorate in collaboration with the Police Intelligence Directorate Headquarters in Accra.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Fusini Danaa, was arrested at about 4:00 p.m. while driving a Kia Rhino with registration number UE 819-26 from Nalerigu towards Kumasi.
According to the Police, the interception followed actionable intelligence indicating that the vehicle was being used to transport contraband.
Preliminary investigations have established that the consignment was allegedly handed over to the driver by an identified person at Bentri, near Nalerigu, for onward delivery to a customer in Kumasi.
A search of the vehicle, which was loaded with maize, resulted in the recovery of several items suspected to have been unlawfully transported.
The exhibits include 321 boxes of foreign cigarettes, comprising:
– 40 boxes of Royals cigarettes;
– 175 boxes of Oris cigarettes; and
– 106 boxes of Gold Seal cigarettes.
The Police also recovered 100 containers of suspected sodium cyanide, together with 23 bags of soya beans, 39 bags of groundnut husks and 21 bags of millet.
The discovery of the suspected sodium cyanide being transported alongside food items has raised significant public health concerns, prompting further examination by the relevant regulatory authorities.
The driver and his mate are currently in Police custody and are assisting with investigations.
The operation was supported by personnel from the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (CEPS) and Defence Intelligence (DI).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) have also taken samples of the suspected sodium cyanide for laboratory analysis.
The authorities are particularly concerned about the manner in which the substance was being transported alongside food commodities, given the potential risk of contamination and possible consequences for public health.
The Police have secured the vehicle and all exhibits as investigations continue.
Investigators are also working to identify and apprehend other individuals who may have been involved in the sourcing, transportation and intended distribution of the suspected contraband.
The Bono East Regional Police Command commended all the participating security and regulatory agencies for their collaboration and reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying intelligence-led operations to combat crime, prevent the movement of illicit goods and safeguard public safety.
The Police said further developments would be communicated as investigations progress.
Bya 1960nes
