Interior Minister exposes ambulance and bullion van drug trafficking schemes in Ghana

Ghana's Interior Minister, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has disclosed alarming new tactics being employed by cannabis traffickers, who are reportedly hijacking ambulances and armoured bullion vans to transport illegal drugs across the country. Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Monday, October 12, 2026, Mr Muntaka outlined sophisticated methods security agencies have detected whilst intensifying the fight against drug trafficking and illegal cultivation.

The Minister revealed that law enforcement has received intelligence showing legitimate service vehicles are being commandeered as cover for moving cannabis. Among the most brazen schemes are the misuse of ambulances intended for medical emergencies. "Sometimes, you'd see an ambulance coming from those areas, and then we will get intel that this is not carrying a sick person; it is carrying weed," Mr Muntaka explained, noting that when officers have stopped and searched such vehicles, they have discovered cannabis-filled interiors instead of patients.

Equally concerning is the alleged exploitation of bullion vans operated by the Bank of Ghana. According to the Minister, these heavily-secured vehicles used for legitimate currency transport are being utilised to move narcotics on return journeys. "They send Bank of Ghana money there, and then when they are coming they carry weeds," he stated, highlighting a system where outbound legitimate cargo provides cover for inbound illegal goods.

Casual attitudes enabling drug cultivation

Beyond trafficking methods, Mr Muntaka expressed frustration at what he described as complacency within communities where cannabis is grown. He noted that many residents do not perceive illegal cultivation as a serious threat, viewing it as a minor issue. This attitude, he suggested, enables traffickers to operate with reduced risk of community reporting or resistance.

The Minister detailed recent government operations targeting the illicit trade. In one notable case, security personnel acting on intelligence raided a shrine where dried cannabis had been concealed, recovering significant quantities. However, the operation drew complaints from shrine owners alleging desecration of sacred premises—a tension highlighting the complexity of enforcement in culturally sensitive contexts.

What this means for Ghana's drug war

The Interior Minister's revelations underscore the evolving sophistication of drug trafficking networks operating within Ghana. The use of emergency service vehicles and financial infrastructure represents a significant escalation in concealment tactics, suggesting organised operations with access to institutional resources and insider knowledge.

For ordinary Ghanaians, this indicates that the cannabis problem extends beyond rural farm cultivation into urban supply chains, potentially affecting the safety and reliability of emergency services. Communities reporting unusually frequent ambulance movements or suspicious bullion van activity should exercise caution.

The government's response combines destruction of cultivation sites, arrests of traffickers, and intelligence-led operations. Mr Muntaka committed to continuing these efforts, though the sophistication of trafficking methods suggests resources and training for security agencies may need enhancement to effectively counter organised networks.

The revelation also raises questions about oversight of legitimate services—whether additional security protocols are needed for ambulances and bullion vans to prevent their hijacking or misuse by criminal organisations. As trafficking evolves, so too must enforcement strategies.