The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) of Ghana has revealed that the suspects arrested in connection with the recent cocaine bust in France had been under surveillance for between one to two years. According to NACOC's Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations, PNCO Francis Opoku Amoah, the suspects' activities had been monitored, and investigators were waiting for the right moment to make the arrests. This was disclosed on TV3's KeyPoints program.
The cocaine bust occurred on September 7 at the Port of Dunkirk in France, where French Customs intercepted a container of plastic waste from Ghana bound for Antwerp, Belgium. The container was found to contain 167 bales of cocaine weighing 3.9 metric tonnes, valued at approximately €225 million ($261 million). French authorities had been targeting the network behind the shipment, leading to the seizure.
NACOC's investigation revealed that the activities involved more than one person, prompting the Commission to broaden its operation to apprehend all connected suspects. The coordinated approach resulted in the arrest of multiple suspects, with NACOC announcing the arrest of three suspects in Ghana on September 14. These suspects were accused of representing and facilitating the network of fugitive Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers.
Jos Leijdekkers, also known as "Bolle Jos," is one of Europe's most wanted fugitives, sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison in the Netherlands for trafficking nearly seven tonnes of cocaine. He is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone. NACOC maintains that intelligence indicates Leijdekkers himself has not entered Ghana, but his associates were operating from the country.
The suspects arrested in Ghana were linked to Leijdekkers through their connections with a Dutch national who is currently at large. NACOC's surveillance and intelligence gathering led to the identification of these suspects, who were subsequently arrested. The Commission emphasized that investigations are ongoing, and more accomplices will be brought to face the law.
In the Netherlands, a man from Dordrecht was arrested on September 4 in connection with the consignment and has been remanded in custody. France's National Jurisdiction against Organized Crime has opened an investigation for organized importation of narcotics and criminal association. The seizure has been linked to Leijdekkers' network, with European authorities working to dismantle the operation.
NACOC's efforts to combat narcotics trafficking have led to significant successes, including the arrest of suspects connected to Leijdekkers' network. The Commission's collaboration with international authorities has resulted in the seizure of large quantities of cocaine and the disruption of trafficking operations. As investigations continue, more details are expected to emerge about the extent of Leijdekkers' network and the role of the arrested suspects.
Key points
- The suspects arrested in connection with the cocaine bust had been under surveillance for 1-2 years.
- The cocaine shipment was valued at approximately €225 million ($261 million).
- Fugitive Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone.
