NACOC Apprehends Lead Suspects in 320kg Australia-Bound Meth Shipment Amidst Nationwide Narcotics Crackdown

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has achieved a significant breakthrough in international drug enforcement with the arrest of the suspected lead shipper and two additional Ghanaian suspects linked to a massive 320-kilogram methamphetamine shipment destined for Australia. The illicit cargo, valued at approximately A$296 million, was discovered by Australian authorities at Sydney’s Port Botany, where it had been meticulously concealed within sacks declared as charcoal. Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director-General of NACOC, confirmed that the arrests in Accra followed three months of intensive intelligence gathering. This operation coincides with the prosecution of three individuals in Australia, including British actress Emaa Hussen, as part of a coordinated effort to dismantle a sophisticated transnational trafficking network.

This high-profile bust is part of a broader, successful campaign by NACOC to curb the flow of narcotics through Ghanaian borders. Between January 2025 and April 2026, the Commission reported a total of 217 arrests and 165 successful prosecutions, resulting in the seizure of over 8.5 tonnes of various narcotic drugs. Beyond the international methamphetamine trade, the Commission has also intercepted millions of tramadol tablets and recovered substantial assets linked to organized crime. Domestic enforcement has been equally active; in a separate but significant operation, the Ghana Police Service’s Special Operations Team and the Ashanti Regional Command recently dismantled a major drug ring in Kumasi, arresting the notorious peddler known as "Con Papa" along with several accomplices.

To further strengthen Ghana’s borders against future trafficking attempts, NACOC has announced the deployment of advanced drug detection systems at Kotoka International Airport (KIA). Beginning in August 2026, new mobile scanners—provided through a partnership between the Ghanaian and Netherlands governments—will be operational at the airport to enhance screening capabilities. This technological upgrade is part of a massive organizational expansion under Brigadier General Mantey’s leadership, which has seen the Commission’s operational commands grow from fewer than 10 to 77 nationwide, ensuring a more robust presence at various entry and exit points across the country.

Looking ahead, the Commission is focusing on sustainability and professionalization within its ranks by establishing a dedicated narcotics training school for future officers. Speaking during the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Brigadier General Mantey emphasized that these structural changes and technological investments are vital for the long-term dismantling of criminal shipping networks. By combining international collaboration, rigorous domestic policing, and enhanced surveillance infrastructure, NACOC aims to position Ghana as a hostile environment for global drug syndicates while addressing the complex challenges of substance abuse within the country.