In just over a month, between August and September, Ghana has recorded several major drug busts, with authorities facing growing concerns over the trafficking of narcotics through the country.
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and the Ghana Police Service are already working to keep up with the emerging cases.
It all started on August 6, when 866 parcels of cocaine, valued at about 6.9 million dollars and hidden in sacks of gari at the Tema Harbour, were discovered. The consignment was reportedly destined for London.
Three people were arrested, including a Dutch.
But that was only the first major bust.
On September 6, two suspects were arrested in Wa with 192 wraps of cocaine, reportedly trafficked from Kumasi through Bole.
Eight days later, on September 14, police in the Oti Region intercepted a DAF truck carrying more than 5,100 parcels of suspected drugs hidden in secret compartments.
Three suspects were arrested, while another is said to be on the run.
Then came the biggest seizure.
On September 10, French customs officials at Dunkirk seized 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, worth an estimated 260 million dollars, hidden in plastic waste and shipped from Ghana.
The seizure led to 10 arrests.
And then, the pattern appeared to take to the air.
On Sunday, September 20, at OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa, a 52-year-old South African man arrived on a flight from Accra.
Police searched his luggage and allegedly found bullet-shaped parcels and blocks of heroin worth more than 2 million rand, equivalent to about 1.4 million cedis.
That makes five major drug cases linked to Ghana in just over 30 days, involving consignments worth millions of dollars.
So, the question is not whether drugs are passing through Ghana.
It is: HOW?
While investigations by NACOC continue, security expert Richard Kumadoe says the recent seizures could also indicate that security agencies are effectively doing their jobs.
“When we hear busts happening like this, we shouldn’t be overwhelmed. It also means the security services are doing their jobs. “
From gari sacks in Tema, to plastic waste in France, and now heroin at OR Tambo International Airport, the methods may be different, but the reported connection with Ghana remains a common thread.
So, we ask: Is Ghana still simply a transit point, or are we now officially the “Cocaine Coast”?
By Judith Brown
