The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has received advanced drug detection equipment valued at £56,752 from the Home Office International Operations (HOIO) to enhance Ghana’s capacity to detect and combat narcotics trafficking.

The equipment — an Agilent Resolve Raman Analyser — enables law enforcement officers to quickly and safely identify suspected narcotic substances during operations. The portable device allows officers to analyse substances on the spot, eliminating the need to transport samples to laboratories and thereby improving both efficiency and operational safety.

The Regional Manager for West Africa at HOIO in Accra, Ian Cunliffe, formally presented the equipment during a brief ceremony, highlighting the importance of sustained collaboration in tackling organised crime.

“We recognise the practical contribution to the important work that your officers carry out every day to protect Ghana and the wider region,” he said.

Mr Cunliffe noted that cooperation between HOIO and NACOC had strengthened over the years through mutual trust and professionalism. He added that the partnership also involves collaboration with the National Crime Agency in addressing cross-border criminal activities.

“Our teams cooperate closely with the National Crime Agency, and this donation reflects our shared commitment to supporting Ghana’s efforts against organised crime,” he noted.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of NACOC, the Deputy Director-General in charge of Enforcement, Control and Elimination, Alexander Twum-Barimah, expressed gratitude to HOIO for the support.

He described the donation as timely and significant in strengthening the commission’s operational capacity in the fight against narcotics trafficking.

“We are grateful for this kind gesture and the continued support from our partners,” he said.

Mr Twum-Barimah also underscored the need for sustained cooperation between NACOC and its international partners to address the increasingly complex nature of organised crime.

While thanking HOIO for the equipment, he appealed for additional support, particularly in the area of specialised training for NACOC personnel.

“NACOC will also appreciate similar gestures in the future, particularly support for specialised training programmes for our intelligence and undercover officers to further boost their operational efficiency,” he stated.

He emphasised that strengthening intelligence gathering and covert operations remains critical to dismantling increasingly sophisticated drug trafficking networks.