Four Ghanaians arrested in connection with the exportation of about four tonnes of cocaine from Ghana to France have been charged and remanded in custody.
The accused are Desmond Koranteng Curiel, alias Paul Kweku Yeboah or Biggs; Musah Attah, alias Kromo; Kweku Otchere; and Jessica Hartog.
They were arraigned at the High Court in Accra on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and remanded for four weeks to reappear on October 13, 2026.
A fifth accused, Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, alias Bolle Jos, is said to be at large. The four are facing two charges; conspiracy to commit a crime, namely exportation of narcotic drugs without a licence issued by the Minister of Health, and exportation of narcotic drugs.
The charges were filed on September 16, and hearing was held shortly after.
Background
Their arrest follows the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs authorities at the northern French port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
The cocaine, with an estimated street value of €225 million, was concealed in a container carrying plastic waste which had arrived from Ghana.
Part of the consignment was reportedly destined for Antwerp, Belgium. Following the seizure, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) announced the arrest of three suspects in Ghana over their alleged involvement.
NACOC said the suspects allegedly represented and facilitated the activities of Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as Bolle Jos, in Ghana, to convey the consignment through the cargo.
The Commission said it has begun working with French authorities to obtain further information on the seizure to enable Ghanaian investigators trace how the consignment left Ghana for France.
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