Ghanaian security forces have confirmed the country’s largest-ever drug bust, involving more than 3.3 tonnes of pure cocaine with an estimated street value of $350 million. The illicit cargo was discovered in March 2025, concealed beneath layers of sand in a tipper truck en route to Accra.
Acting on intelligence, operatives from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) intercepted the vehicle at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast. The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) conducted chemical tests using cobalt thiocyanate, analyzing samples from three out of 2,970 neatly packed slabs.
The authenticity of the cocaine was officially confirmed during an open court session on June 4, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey. State prosecutors, defense lawyers, and officials from both the NIB and the Narcotics Control Commission (NCC) were present during the proceedings. The court has scheduled the destruction of the remaining drugs for June 20, 2025.
Ongoing Legal Action and Manhunt for Suspects
Three individuals have been formally charged and are currently standing trial at the High Court in Accra:
- Isaac Quaicoo – Truck driver
- Kenneth Cobbinah – Driver’s assistant
- Mawuku Kudufia – Alleged accomplice
The case has been adjourned to June 24, 2025. Meanwhile, authorities are actively pursuing three additional suspects believed to be central to the trafficking operation:
- Kelian Julien Mensah
- Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow
- Charles Hagan
During the hearing, defense attorney Victor Adawudu successfully objected to the early submission of the laboratory test results, arguing that it was premature to introduce such evidence before the Case Management Conference. The court agreed and deferred the matter.
National Security Concerns
This unprecedented drug bust highlights the growing threat of international narcotics operations using Ghana as a transit hub. The sheer scale of the seizure and the sophistication of the smuggling method have prompted renewed calls for stronger surveillance, cross-border cooperation, and law enforcement capacity.
Authorities continue to investigate the broader network behind the trafficking ring as the country intensifies its crackdown on drug-related crimes.
Source: mynewsgh
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