Taxi driver arrested in Ho West with suspected narcotics; Police reject GH¢5000 bribe

Police in the Ho West District have arrested a taxi driver after intercepting his vehicle and discovering parcels of suspected narcotics concealed inside.

The arrest, which followed a tip-off, took place early Thursday morning when officers stopped an Opel taxicab with registration number CR 675-12 travelling from Dzolokpuita towards Ho.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rockson Gyasi, who leads the Ho West District command, confirmed the incident. He explained that officers had mobilized swiftly after receiving intelligence about the vehicle. At approximately 05:57 hours, the car appeared on the road. On spotting the police, the driver pulled over and opened the bonnet, pretending the vehicle had developed a fault.

During the encounter, the driver, identified as 36-year-old Innocent Kpeglo, admitted he was transporting narcotic substances to Aflao. DSP Gyasi revealed that Kpeglo then attempted to bribe the officers with GH¢5000 to drop the matter. “He readily told them he was carrying the narcotics substances to someone in Aflao. He then offered a bribe of GH¢5000 to the police to end the matter,” DSP Gyasi said.

The officers rejected the bribe and escorted the suspect to the Anyirawase Police Station, where a thorough search of the vehicle uncovered 37 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be marijuana hidden beneath the back seat.

Kpeglo was later transferred to the Volta Regional Police Headquarters in Ho. Authorities say he is being processed for court on charges of possessing narcotic substances. The impounded vehicle remains in police custody as investigations continue.

The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement in the Volta Region to clamp down on drug trafficking, with police emphasizing their commitment to integrity and rejecting attempts to compromise their work.