
Ghanaian security agencies have recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against illegal drug trafficking, dismantling parts of both an international cocaine syndicate and a local narcotics distribution point. In a high-profile operation, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) arrested three suspects in Ghana linked to a massive cocaine shipment valued at approximately €225 million ($261 million). This enforcement action follows the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs at the port of Dunkirk, which had been concealed in a container originating from Ghana.
Investigations by NACOC suggest that the three arrested individuals allegedly facilitated the trafficking activities of Jos Leijdekkers, a notorious Dutch fugitive. The commission emphasized that these arrests are a testament to Ghana’s strengthened resolve to collaborate with international partners in neutralizing global drug cartels. While the investigation remains ongoing, NACOC has assured the public that the legal rights of the suspects are being strictly observed as they probe the depth of the network's local connections.
On the domestic front, the Ashaiman District Police successfully intercepted a significant quantity of local narcotics during a late-night operation on September 12, 2026. At approximately 11:30 p.m., officers on a routine patrol acted on intelligence regarding suspicious activities near the New Tulaku Cow Market. This led to the arrest of 49-year-old trader Issaka Mohammed at a known 'ghetto' in the area. Upon searching a sack in Mohammed's possession, police discovered 37 slabs of compressed dried plant material suspected to be Indian hemp.
Both cases highlight a two-pronged approach by Ghanaian authorities to tackle the narcotics trade at various levels of the supply chain. While NACOC focuses on the high-level transnational shipments that threaten Ghana's reputation in the international community, local police units are intensifying patrols to disrupt the retail and wholesale distribution of illicit substances within residential neighborhoods. Issaka Mohammed remains in custody and is expected to be arraigned in court shortly, as security forces continue to monitor known drug hubs across the Greater Accra Region.