Kpando man held over death threats, illegal firearms and suspected drug cultivation

The Volta North Regional Police Command has arrested a 31-year-old man identified as Saviour Dzadze following serious allegations of death threats, unlawful possession of firearms and suspected cannabis cultivation in the Kpando area.

The arrest, made on October 14, 2026 at the Kpando Circuit Court premises, came after a formal complaint was filed by victim Dzodzi Kofi Kpakpamikpe on October 8. The complainant alleged that Dzadze had threatened to take his life using a firearm, prompting police to move swiftly on the matter.

Arsenal of weapons discovered

A search of the suspect's residence yielded a significant cache of weapons and contraband. Police recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, a pump-action shotgun, a locally manufactured single-barrel gun, and 10 AAA Lion cartridges. Officers also found quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp during the operation.

Investigations by the Volta North Regional Police Command have begun tracing the origins of the weapons. According to preliminary findings, Dzadze allegedly traded cannabis that he had cultivated for the AK-47 rifle with an unidentified individual from Togo. The pump-action shotgun was reportedly given to him by his brother, Foster Dzadze, who resides in Accra. The locally manufactured gun was inherited from his deceased father, Mathereous Dzadze.

Ongoing investigation and broader network

Dzadze remains in police custody and is cooperating with investigators as they continue their inquiries into the case. Police have indicated that the suspect is expected to be arraigned before court once investigations reach an appropriate stage.

The Volta North Regional Police Command has also revealed that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest other individuals believed to be connected to the case. This suggests that police suspect a wider network may be involved in firearms trafficking and illegal drug cultivation in the region.

Why it matters for Ghana

This arrest highlights ongoing concerns about illegal firearms and drug cultivation across Ghana's regions, particularly in border areas like Kpando in Volta North. The recovery of military-grade weapons such as AK-47s, combined with evidence of cross-border trafficking with Togo, underscores vulnerabilities in Ghana's security apparatus and the challenges posed by porous borders.

The case also reflects broader issues of armed crime and substance abuse affecting Ghanaian communities. The nexus between drug cultivation, firearms trafficking and violent crime suggests organised criminal networks operating within the country. For residents in Kpando and surrounding areas, such arrests represent both reassurance that law enforcement is taking action and a stark reminder of security threats in their communities.

The involvement of family members in providing weapons—including from Accra—also raises questions about how illegally-held firearms circulate within families and social networks across regions, a pattern that complicates efforts to regulate and control weaponry in the country.