Jessica Hartog, the 34-year-old owner of Euro Spa and Beauty Lounge in Shiashie, Ghana, has been arrested and arraigned before an Accra High Court in connection with an alleged attempt to export nearly four tonnes of suspected narcotics from Ghana to France. She is among four people facing charges over the shipment, which was intercepted by French authorities. The other accused are businessman Desmond Koranteng Curiel, Musah Attah, and Kweku Otchere.
According to the prosecution, the case followed the seizure of a 40-foot container at the port of Dunkirk in France in September 2026. The container had reportedly been shipped from Ghana and was declared as carrying plastic waste. However, French authorities discovered suspected prohibited substances hidden within the consignment. The shipment is estimated to have a street value of about US$260 million.
Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) began investigations into people allegedly connected to the shipment after the interception. Hartog and Curiel were arrested by NACOC officers at Ashaley Botwe on September 12, 2026. Otchere was also apprehended at his residence in East Legon on the same day. Musah Attah reportedly surrendered himself to NACOC at its headquarters on September 14.
Investigators allegedly recovered several items during searches linked to the arrests, including three firearms, ammunition, four luxury vehicles, passports, and various amounts of money. During proceedings, Hartog was identified as Curiel's fiancée. The prosecution told the court that she claimed not to have been aware of the nature or details of Curiel's business activities.
All four accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court subsequently remanded them into lawful custody while investigations and legal proceedings continue. They are expected to return to court on October 13, 2026. Meanwhile, Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos”, has reportedly been named as a fifth suspect who remains at large.
The prosecution told the court that investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged shipment and to identify and apprehend any other individuals who may have been involved. Hartog has not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations against her and the other accused persons remain before the court and are yet to be determined.
The case has raised concerns about the smuggling of narcotics from Ghana to other countries. The authorities have assured that they will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in such activities. The accused will continue to face the law as the investigations and court proceedings continue.
Key points
- Jessica Hartog, a 34-year-old beautician, has been arraigned before an Accra High Court over her alleged involvement in the smuggling of nearly four tonnes of cocaine from Ghana to France.
- The shipment, which was intercepted by French authorities, is estimated to have a street value of about US$260 million.
- The accused, including Hartog, have pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been remanded into lawful custody while investigations and legal proceedings continue.
