Alexander Twum-Barimah, the Deputy Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), has stated that the operation to arrest businessman and socialite Abu Trica lasted 12 hours.

In an interview on Lawson TV on June 1, 2026, Twum-Barimah urged the public to disregard a viral one-minute video from the arrest, which showed Abu Trica saying he wanted his lawyer. He clarified that the socialite never made such a statement.

According to Alexander Twum-Barimah, there was a court order issued for Abu Trica’s arrest, and it took 12 hours to execute the operation, involving three teams who played different roles.

He further noted that narratives surrounding Abu Trica sometimes suggest he was targeted out of hatred, but Twum-Barimah stressed that the socialite was not arrested because he was hated by the government.

“He never said, ‘I want my lawyer.’ When you are arrested, certain basic details are taken, such as the person’s name, because you must confirm that the person you are arresting is the right person.

“The operation lasted about 12 hours. Three teams were involved: two operating in Accra and one in the Central Region. So how are you using a 1-minute 20-second video to judge a 12-hour operation? It was a 12-hour operation, and that was the order of the court,” he said.

Abu Trica granted bail by High Court

Frederick Kumi, better known on Snapchat as “Abu Trica,” was arrested in December 2025 after United States authorities indicted him for allegedly helping to run a romance scam network that stole more than $8 million from elderly American victims.

He was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and a forfeiture count related to the alleged proceeds, among others.

However, in April 2026, the General Jurisdiction 2 Division of the High Court in Accra granted Abu Trica bail in the sum of GH¢30 million, with two sureties to be justified.

Abu Trica had been in police custody since his arrest in December 2025 until April 2026, following an extradition request from the United States over alleged romance fraud charges.

@lawsonmediagh "It took 12 hours to get Abu Trica! Disregard short videos that we spread of him asking for his Lawyer." - Lawyer Twum Barimah #lawsontv#foryou #ghanasesen #lawyertwumbarimah #kwametanko ♬ original sound - Lawson TV & 96.3FM