A Circuit Court in Accra has granted bail to one of three foreign nationals arrested for allegedly distributing unregistered opioid drugs at the Onion Market in Agbogbloshie, while the remaining two have been remanded into police custody.
Presided over by Her Honour Susana Eduful, granted GH¢60,000 bail to 26-year-old Abdulai Issaka, on the condition that he provides three sureties, all of whom must be close family members earning a minimum of GH¢5,000 monthly.
His co-accused, 20-year-old Ali Jibril and 26-year-old Mohammed Yusif, were not granted bail and have been remanded to allow for further police investigations.
The three men—nationals of Niger—were apprehended on June 2, 2025, during an intelligence-driven operation by the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra.
They are facing charges under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), as well as Executive Instrument (E.I.) 167 of 2018, which governs the sale and control of pharmaceutical substances.
Prosecuting officer, Chief Inspector Abel Amanie, told the court that the suspects were found in possession of various quantities of opioid-based medications, widely circulated on the streets under the slang name “RED”—a term commonly associated with dangerous, unregulated narcotics.
During the operation at Agbogbloshie’s Onion Market, Issaka was found with 16 sachets of Tramaking 225mg tablets, 17 sachets of Tramaking 120mg capsules, and 20 sachets of Timaking 250mg tablets.
Jibril was discovered with 30 sachets of Tapentadol 250mg tablets, 25 sachets of Taramaking 120mg capsules, and 20 sachets of Timaking 120mg capsules.
Yusif was caught in possession of 8 sachets of Timaking 250mg tablets, 5 sachets of Taramaking 225mg tablets, and 4 sachets of Timaking 120mg capsules.
Investigators say all three men admitted to possessing the substances but declined to reveal their source or supply chain.
The case has been adjourned to June 24, 2025, when the court is expected to formally take the pleas of the accused.
