Justice caught up with two men in the North East Region, after the Nalerigu Circuit Court handed them stiff sentences for trafficking over a thousand boxes of the restricted drug, tramadol.
The verdict brings closure to a case that shocked the region with the scale of the illegal haul.
The case stemmed from a September 18 police and NACOC operation at Gbintiri near Nalerigu, where officers intercepted 1,195 boxes of tramadol hydrochloride, 120mg, popularly called Red.
On September 19, the suspects were first remanded.
A week later, on their reappearance, two, Mumuni Iddrisu and Alhassan Braimah, pleaded guiltyto conspiracy and unlawful possession.
Investigations revealed they concealed more than 4,500 packs of tramadol hidden inside 25, five-litre yellow gallons.
The court, presided over by Justice Francis Asobayire, sentenced each of them to ten years in prison on each count, along with a fine of 5,000 penalty units, equivalent to sixty thousand cedis.
Failure to pay the fine will attract another ten years behind bars.
The other four accused persons were discharged for want of evidence.
With sentencing complete, the two convicts have already been transferred to Gambaga Local Prison to begin their terms.
Police, meanwhile, praised the support of residents, particularly the Nalerigu Youth Association, in ensuring the success of the operation.
They have also cautioned others in the illicit drug trade to desist, or offenders will face the full rigours of the law.
By Peter Quao Adattor
