By: Baba Mohammed Issahaq
What began as a routine inspection has unravelled into one of the largest tramadol seizures in recent times in the Northern Region.
Alhaji Sayuti, a well-known pharmacist and proprietor of Sayuti Chemist in Tamale, was arrested earlier today after authorities discovered hundreds of boxes of high-strength Tramadol, an opioid banned for sale in Ghana, hidden inside his warehouse in Fuo, a suburb of Sagnarigu Municipality.
The operation, led by the Tamale Anti-Tramadol Taskforce in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, followed up on suspicions raised after a previous raid on one of Alhaji Sayuti’s shops yesterday. At the time, he claimed the few packs found were all he had in stock. However, a deeper investigation told a different story.
During the warehouse raid, officials uncovered over 400 boxes of Tramadol 120mg, a dosage well above the legally permitted 50mg. Under Ghana’s drug laws, only Tramadol 50mg may be sold, and only on prescription.
Alhaji Sayuti, who has long enjoyed a reputation as a respected drug dealer in the region, now finds himself at the centre of a criminal investigation. He is currently in police custody as authorities build a case that could have wide-reaching implications for drug enforcement in the Northern Region.
News of the seizure has caused ripples in the community, where concerns are mounting over youth addiction and the easy availability of dangerous painkillers.
“This is a wake-up call,” said one resident. “Too many of our young people are falling into addiction because of drugs like this.”
Authorities say more crackdowns are expected as they ramp up efforts to dismantle illegal pharmaceutical networks operating under the guise of legitimate business.