The Nsuta Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region on Monday remanded 36 people into police custody over suspected involvement in the use and peddling of illegal drugs following a major anti-drug operation in Asante Mampong, prosecutors said.

Presiding judge Simon Nketsia Gaagah ordered the suspects remanded after prosecutors said investigations were still ongoing into the alleged offences.

The suspects, aged between 17 and 37, were arrested during a police swoop conducted on May 23 at Akyeremade and Tunsuom, areas authorities described as hotspots for narcotics activity.

Police prosecutor Peter Kantoreje told the court that officers from the Asante Mampong Police Command carried out simultaneous raids as part of efforts to clamp down on substance abuse and illegal drug trade within the municipality.

According to the prosecution, several suspects at a location in Akyeremade attempted to flee after allegedly dropping substances believed to be Indian hemp when they spotted police officers.

“At both locations, suspects attempted to escape upon seeing the police, but they were pursued and arrested,” the prosecutor told the court.

Authorities said another group of suspects was allegedly found smoking marijuana at a drug ghetto in Tunsuom before they were apprehended.

Police said items retrieved during the operation included scissors, cigarette and marijuana lighters, bundles of wrappers believed to be used for packaging drugs, cross-body bags and 5,679 Ghana cedis in cash.

The pleas of the suspects were not taken because investigations remain ongoing, the court heard.

The case was adjourned to 2 June 2026.