In a bold crackdown at Accra’s Swissport Terminal on July 5, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) intercepted a major shipment of suspected cannabis disguised as food items.
The haul, 738 tightly packed parcels hidden in 40 boxes, was en route to the United Kingdom. Authorities believe it’s part of an international drug trafficking scheme exploiting Ghana’s position as a transit hub.
Following weeks of undercover work and intelligence gathering, NACOC arrested two suspects who are currently aiding investigations.
The commission has also declared two others, Lincoln Nii Okaija and Kate Davidson, alias “Esi”, as wanted, urging citizens to help locate them.
“Drug trafficking threatens not just our borders but the health and safety of our communities,” a NACOC official shared. “Our work continues until every link in these networks is broken.”
Cannabis smuggling remains rampant in Ghana. In 2022 alone, NACOC seized nearly 60,000 kilograms of illegal substances, quadrupling the previous year’s tally.
Much of the cannabis is cultivated locally and trafficked abroad, underscoring its widespread presence.
Just days before this seizure, NACOC carried out a coordinated raid in the Eastern Region that led to 14 arrests and the shutdown of chemical stores accused of peddling controlled substances illegally.
Among the confiscated items were codeine-based cough syrups and more cannabis.
Ghana continues to work closely with global partners like the UK to disrupt drug routes through intelligence and joint operations.