Police intercept 2,213 slabs of suspected Indian hemp on River Volta

Police in Ghana’s Tema Region say they have intercepted 2,213 slabs of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp aboard a wooden canoe on the River Volta.

The Tema Regional Police Command said the canoe was intercepted near Tuanikopey Island during a routine Marine Police patrol at about 12:45 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

According to a police statement, the occupants abandoned the vessel and fled after spotting the patrol team. No arrests have been announced.

A search of the outboard-powered canoe uncovered 29 sacks containing the dried leaves, which had been wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, police said.

Officers also found 14 containers with a capacity of 25 litres each. Twelve of them contained pre-mixed fuel.

Two Yamaha outboard motors—a 40-horsepower engine and a 30-horsepower engine—were also recovered from the canoe.

Police said the suspected narcotic substances had been taken to the Ada District Police Headquarters.

Arrangements were being made to transport the outboard motors and pre-

mixed fuel to the police station as investigations continued.

The Tema Regional Police Command said it was working to identify and arrest the people who abandoned the canoe and its contents.

It appealed to anyone with information about the owners or occupants of the vessel to report to the nearest police station.

The command also cautioned members of the public against participating in the trafficking or transportation of narcotic substances.

The police statement did not disclose the estimated weight or street value of the seized substances. It also did not indicate whether laboratory tests had been conducted to confirm that the dried leaves were cannabis.

The investigation remains ongoing.