The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has arraigned five Ghanaians at the Accra High Court over the alleged export of 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed in a consignment of coconut charcoal from Ghana to Australia.
The case follows the seizure of the narcotic substance by Australian authorities at Port Botany in Sydney after the consignment, declared as bags of coconut charcoal, was subjected to examination.
According to the prosecution’s brief of facts filed at the Accra High Court, the suspected methamphetamine was discovered among the charcoal, with an estimated street value of $208 million.
Australian authorities have separately confirmed that about 320kg of methamphetamine was found in two containers that arrived from Ghana. The Australian Federal Police said the shipment had an estimated street value of A$296 million.
The accused persons are Mercy Nelly Nyadzi, a 58-year-old freight forwarder and proprietor of Freight Plus Ghana Ltd.; Collins Yaw Antwi, a freight forwarder; and James Donkor, a Customs officer.
Two other suspects, James Osei Frimpong, alias “Bro Yaw,” and Frank, the prosecution notes, are currently at large.
The prosecution alleges that the accused persons were involved in a scheme to export the narcotic substance from Ghana to Australia.
The accused persons have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime, namely the exportation of narcotic drugs; abetment of the exportation of narcotic drugs without a licence, possession of narcotic drugs without lawful authority, for the purpose of trafficking; and exportation of narcotic drugs without a licence issued by the Minister responsible for Health.
Per the prosecution’s brief facts, investigations began after NACOC received intelligence from the Australian Border Force concerning the seizure at Port Botany.
The shipment was contained in one 20-foot and one 40-foot container, which had departed Tema Port around December 20, 2025, aboard the vessel MSC VIGO, bound for Sydney.
The shipping documents identified Freight Plus Ghana Ltd., Sakumono-Tema, as the shipper.
Investigators subsequently arrested Mercy Nelly Nyadzi at her residence in Sakumono, Tema, and Collins Yaw Antwi at Kpone.
James Donkor was also arrested at NACOC headquarters.
The prosecution alleges that James Osei Frimpong, known as “Bro Yaw”, contracted Nyadzi to facilitate the export of coconut shell charcoal to Australia.
The brief also cited that Frimpong allegedly obtained the coconut shell charcoal at Pantang and Katamanso, while Frank assisted in procuring the charcoal and later helped with loading the containers.
Customs officer accused
Investigators further allege that James Donkor a Customs Export Examination Officer was assigned to inspect the two containers and authorise their release for export.
During interrogation, Donkor allegedly admitted personally conducting a non-intrusive front-view examination of both the 20-foot and 40-foot containers before authorising their release.
However, investigators say there were inconsistencies in his account.
The prosecution says Donkor admitted preparing an inspection report for only the 20-foot container and failing to prepare a corresponding report for the 40-foot container.
He reportedly described the omission as an oversight.
Investigators further say Donkor was unable to produce photographs which, in the ordinary course of his duties, should have been uploaded onto the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) as part of the inspection process.
According to the investigation, Donkor said the photographs could not be found.
The prosecution also alleges that Nyadzi engaged Collins Antwi to obtain the necessary permit for the export of the charcoal.
Antwi allegedly obtained an export permit from the Energy Commission using Linah Cole Ltd., a licensed charcoal exporter, while his own company, Freight Plus Ghana Ltd., was neither registered nor licensed to export charcoal.
The document states that Nyadzi nevertheless accepted the assignment.
Investigators further allege that the shipment was financed by James Osei Frimpong, alias “Bro Yaw”, who made payments relating to the exportation on Nyadzi’s behalf.
Frimpong and Frank remain at large.
Australian authorities continue their case
The Ghanaian investigation follows a major operation by Australian authorities.
The Australian Federal Police said border officers detected anomalies in the two containers at Sydney’s Port Botany and subsequently used X-ray screening, which revealed a white crystalline substance hidden among the charcoal. Forensic testing confirmed it as methamphetamine.
Three people including a British woman and an Australian couple have since been charged in Australia in connection with the alleged importation.
NACOC subsequently announced that it had launched its own investigation and was working with Ghanaian security agencies and international partners to identify and apprehend persons connected to the shipment.
The Commission later announced the arrest of a suspected lead shipper in Ghana following about three months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
