IMANI Africa Vice-President Kofi Bentil has made startling allegations that the Ghanaian government and security agencies are deeply involved in a cocaine trafficking network. According to Bentil, a source revealed that a coordinated network of security personnel at Ghana's airport facilitates the movement of illicit drugs, potentially turning the country into a transit point for narcotics like cocaine. This network allegedly involves personnel from various security agencies.
The allegations center around the recent seizure of cocaine in Beirut, Lebanon, where a Syrian national was arrested on October 31, 2026, with a consignment of suspected cocaine. The quantity seized was initially reported as about 40kg, but Lebanese authorities later confirmed it as 46.7kg, the largest seizure involving a passenger in the airport's history. Bentil's source claims that the operation involves a network that ensures suitcases containing narcotics are transported directly to aircraft on the tarmac.
The source alleged that the network includes personnel from various security agencies, including Customs, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), National Security, the Police Service, and Aviation Security. These individuals are allegedly aware of the operations and ensure that the necessary personnel are on duty to facilitate the movement of the consignments. The source also claimed that the group uses a coded phrase, "NNE WO NYAME NKO," during operations.
Bentil's source disputed NACOC's account that the Beirut arrest resulted from a controlled delivery operation involving Ghanaian and Lebanese security authorities. Instead, the source alleged that NACOC and the government were deeply involved in the arrangement. The source claimed that following the arrest in Lebanon, Lebanese Customs contacted Ghana Customs rather than NACOC. This contradicts NACOC's statement that the arrest followed a coordinated controlled delivery operation.
NACOC has maintained that investigations are ongoing and that it is pursuing other suspected accomplices in Ghana. However, the Commission's explanation has attracted questions from security analysts and opposition figures, who have demanded to know why such a large consignment was allowed to leave Ghana if authorities had prior intelligence about the shipment. The allegations have raised concerns about the involvement of government officials and security agencies in cocaine trafficking.
The claims about the alleged security network and government involvement were attributed to Bentil's unidentified source and have not been independently established. The incident has sparked calls for further investigation and action to be taken against those involved in the cocaine trafficking network. The government and security agencies have yet to comment on the allegations.
The incident highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between Ghanaian and international authorities to combat cocaine trafficking. The largest seizure in the airport's history has raised questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and the need for more stringent controls to prevent the movement of illicit drugs through Ghana.
Key points
- - The Ghanaian government and security agencies are alleged to be involved in a cocaine trafficking network. - A Syrian national was arrested in Beirut with 46.7kg of suspected cocaine on October 31, 2026. - NACOC's account of a controlled delivery operation has been disputed by Bentil's source.
