The Upper West Regional Office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has apprehended a suspected drug peddler in Tumu, Sissala East Municipality, acting on intelligence.
The suspect, identified as Abdul-Razak Kudus, approximately 35 years old, was caught selling unregistered herbal drugs in Tumu and its surrounding areas.
Mr. Kelvin Dafaari, Acting Upper West Regional Head of the FDA, confirmed the arrest to the Ghana News Agency in Wa, stating that the suspect, currently in police custody, would face legal consequences as per the Public Health Act.
According to Mr. Dafaari, the individual operated Sawab Herbal in Wa and had registered Sawab capsules and Sawab ointment with the FDA.
However, he was selling eight different unregistered products under the guise of the two approved items, including Men Enlargement Tonic, Sawab Power Bitters, Sawab Koo Tonic, and Sawab T-Mala Mix.
Mr. Dafaari highlighted the dubious practices, stating, “The most interesting thing is that all these medicines that he is selling are from one ingredient but with different labels that are kept on the products to sell.”
He noted that the herbal medicines were stored in different unclean bottles, lacking registration. Additionally, some products had conflicting expiration dates.
The suspect produced the unregistered products in Wa but sold them in Tumu to avoid routine FDA inspections. Mr. Dafaari pointed out that Kudus' arrest marked the second drug peddler apprehended in the region this year.
Despite a reduction in drug peddling since the FDA commenced operations in the region in 2011, Mr. Dafaari emphasized the importance of adhering to the Public Health Act.
He cautioned individuals engaged in drug peddling in the region, urging them to cease the illegal activity, as severe sanctions would be imposed when apprehended.
Despite the FDA not being present in every part of the region, Mr. Dafaari emphasized their continuous intelligence gathering, warning that anyone caught would face legal consequences.