Six individuals have been remanded by the Kwabenya Circuit Court in connection with the seizure of 3.9 tonnes of alleged cocaine at the Tema Port. The accused persons are Amanor, a freight forwarder; Frank Adu-Boahen, a 71-year-old self-styled evangelist; Togbe Agbeti; Andrew Tetteh Amponsah; Daniel Laryea; and Denkyi. According to the prosecution, the suspects allegedly aided in the export of 3.9 tonnes of narcotic substances in four containers from the Tema Port to the Netherlands without a licence from the Minister of Health.
The seizure of the 3.9 tonnes of cocaine was carried out by French customs authorities on September 12. The narcotics, estimated to be worth €225 million (approximately US$261.45 million), were concealed in a consignment of plastic waste that originated from Ghana and arrived at Dunkirk in northern France. The interception followed a judicial police operation targeting a criminal syndicate believed to be behind the consignment. The drugs were hidden in a container that was reportedly en route to Antwerp, Belgium.
This is not an isolated incident, as Ghana has been featured repeatedly in major trafficking cases over the past 18 months. On March 4, 2025, more than 3.3 tonnes of cocaine concealed beneath sand and reportedly travelling from Takoradi to Accra, with an estimated street value exceeding US$350 million, were intercepted. The government has stepped up efforts to curb the illegal smuggling and sale of prohibited goods, including narcotic drugs, across the country.
In August, three persons were remanded by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly concealing 869 slabs of suspected cocaine in bags of gari and cassava powder in Tema. The accused persons are Gilano Jorgino Holwin, a Dutch security guard; Alhaji Iddrisu Haruna, a 56-year-old transporter; and John Mensah Sarbah, a 41-year-old clearing agent. They were apprehended by police officers stationed at the Tema Regional Criminal Investigations Department after acting on intelligence.
The latest interception comes after the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) seized a consignment containing approximately five million Tramadol tablets valued at an estimated GH¢100 million at the Accra International Airport (AIA) following an intelligence-led operation. Police also arrested three suspects in connection with the intercepted consignment. The NACOC has been actively working to curb the smuggling of narcotics into the country.
In a related development, the Police in March arrested nine public officers, including five Customs officials, for their alleged involvement in an undeclared Tramadol consignment at Tema Port. The remaining four comprised one officer each from the Narcotics Control Commission, Port Security, the Energy Commission, and the Ghana Standards Authority. This highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation among law enforcement agencies to combat trafficking.
The six accused persons in the 3.9-tonne cocaine case have been remanded in custody. The court has denied them bail, and they will remain in custody pending further proceedings. The case is ongoing, and the prosecution is expected to present more evidence against the accused persons. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat trafficking and the need for continued cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
Key points
- The six accused persons were remanded in custody by the Kwabenya Circuit Court.
- The 3.9 tonnes of cocaine were concealed in a consignment of plastic waste from Ghana.
- Ghana has seen a rise in major trafficking cases over the past 18 months.
