Police Seize $6.9 Million in Suspected Cocaine at Tema Port; Dutch National Among Three Arrested

The Tema Regional Police Command has dealt a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks following the seizure of 866 parcels of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of US$6.928 million. The operation, which took place on August 5, 2026, targeted a warehouse within the Tema Port enclave where the illicit substance was discovered. In an attempt to evade detection, the narcotics were meticulously concealed within sacks of gari—a local processed cassava staple—and were being loaded into a 40-foot container destined for export.

Acting on precise intelligence, police intercepted the shipment and arrested three key suspects at the scene. Among those detained is 31-year-old Gilano Horwin, a Dutch national who reportedly claimed ownership of the seized substances during initial interrogations. The other two suspects have been identified as 41-year-old John Mensah Sabah and Alhaji Iddris Haruna. According to Detective Chief Officer (DCOP) Eric Asamoah Asiedu, the suspects were apprehended while supervising the final loading of the contaminated sacks into the shipping container.

The Tema police operation was part of a broader, intensified crackdown on narcotics across the Greater Accra Region. On the same day, a separate intervention by the Prampram District Police led to the interception of a taxi at Tsopoli. This secondary operation resulted in the arrest of an additional individual and the confiscation of four large sacks containing dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. DCOP Asiedu confirmed during a press briefing that all suspects from both operations are currently in custody and are assisting with investigations intended to map out the wider criminal networks involved.

Following the seizure, the 866 parcels have been forwarded for forensic analysis to confirm their chemical composition and purity. The Ghana Police Service has reiterated its unwavering commitment to dismantling drug cartels that attempt to use the country's ports as transit points for illicit trade. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to law enforcement, as the investigation shifts toward identifying potential accomplices within the regional shipping and logistics sectors.