Policy analyst Bright Simons has raised concerns over the Ghana Narcotics Control Commission's (NACOC) claims regarding a recent cocaine seizure at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport. NACOC announced that the arrest in Beirut followed a joint controlled delivery operation with Lebanese authorities. However, Simons indicates that details from Lebanon tell a different story, casting doubt on NACOC's version of events. According to Simons, Lebanese reports suggest that the seizure was handled by Lebanon's General Security and Customs, not the narcotics branch.
Simons cited recent joint operations involving Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE, where Lebanon's Central Office for Drug Control was explicitly mentioned. In contrast, he noted that in the current case, not once in statements and interviews by Beirut Customs was cooperation with Ghanaian authorities mentioned. Lebanese Customs in Beirut stated that the operation was carried out in coordination with the Lebanese General Security, following security monitoring and intelligence gathering. This has raised questions about NACOC's involvement in the operation.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam praised coordination and information exchange between the two Lebanese agencies, with no mention of Ghana. Simons pointed out that this is unusual, given that in other joint operations, Ghanaian authorities would typically be mentioned. The policy analyst also highlighted a significant red flag: the possibility of a bribe being paid at Accra Airport to get two suitcases through. According to Lebanese Customs sources, the passenger is suspected of paying a bribe.
Simons argued that if NACOC had already decided to let the bags pass as part of a controlled delivery, it would have been under Ghanaian security supervision as per Act 1019. He questioned how someone could have asked for a bribe if NACOC had indeed supervised the transit. Simons also noted that Lebanon has matching rules, requiring the Counter-Narcotics branch of the Internal Security Force (ISF) to be directly involved in controlled delivery scenarios.
The policy analyst questioned why Lebanese investigators would describe the Accra leg as facilitated by corruption if their Ghanaian partners had alerted them in advance that it was being supervised and allowed through. While Lebanese reports confirm that there was foreknowledge that the Syrian drug mule was suspicious, Simons said this is not evidence of controlled delivery. He noted that prior awareness of the drug mule appears linked to the fact that the man had already entered Lebanon from Syria and was under surveillance.
Simons added that video of the search and briefings shows Lebanese authorities were surprised by the packaging and hidden compartments. He argued that if NACOC had supervised transit, Lebanese Customs would have received a detailed advance briefing according to protocol. Instead, the Lebanese authorities seemed to be adjusting X-ray settings and remarking about the surprise of finding airtags.
The incident has raised questions about NACOC's role in the cocaine seizure and the circumstances surrounding the controlled delivery operation. Simons' concerns have sparked a debate about the accuracy of NACOC's claims and the need for greater transparency in international cooperation on drug trafficking cases.
Key points
- Policy analyst Bright Simons questions NACOC's claims on Lebanon cocaine bust
- Simons doubts NACOC's involvement in controlled delivery operation
- Incident raises questions about international cooperation on drug trafficking cases
