The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has seized an incredible 3,319.66 kilograms (3.3 tonnes) of chemicals suspected of being cocaine, valued at almost $350 million on the black market, in a historic operation.
To avoid detection, the enormous quantity was deftly disguised in sand mounds in a tipper truck using sacks and bags.
But a major turning point in the nation’s war on drugs was reached when the watchful NIB agents discovered the illegal cargo.
On its way to Accra, the tipper truck was stopped at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast, Central Region.
Over 3,300 kg of cocaine were intercepted, which is a noteworthy accomplishment and one of the biggest cocaine seizures in the nation’s history.
The tipper truck driver, 39-year-old Isaac Quaicoo, and his companion, 25-year-old tertiary student Kenneth Cobbinah, are being held in jail to help the NIB with their investigations.
Authorities recovered 143 clearly marked sacks totaling 2,974 kg after dumping the sand. The Narcotics Control Commission’s (NACOC) initial field testing verified the substance’s identity as cocaine.
Following more intelligence-driven inquiries, NIB agents searched a suspect’s home on March 8, 2025, and found 13 more sacks and one bag of suspected cocaine, totaling 345.07 kg.
According to NIB sources who spoke to the media, laboratory tests carried out by the Ghana Standards Authority and NACOC have verified that the materials found were high-quality cocaine, with a purity level ranging from 50% to 70%.
On April 2, 2025, the suspects are expected to make another court appearance.
Complicites
To guarantee that everyone involved receives justice, the NIB has located more accomplices who are presently at large and is actively working to get them arrested.
Charles Hagan has been identified by investigators as the person who hired the driver and his companion to transport the shipment.
Additional suspected narcotics were found during a follow-up search at the home of one Francis Awortwi, a close friend of Hagan, also known as Panya, who allegedly hired the tipper truck driver to transport the shipment to Accra.
According to an NIB source, the operation demonstrated the success of the agency’s anti-drug trafficking initiatives and the value of teamwork in law enforcement when it comes to upending and dismantling organized crime networks.
Prior arrest
Two British nationals were detained in June of last year on suspicion of trying to smuggle cocaine worth $6.48 million (£5 million) from Ghana to London.
In connection with the investigation, Kotoka International Airport seized approximately 166 kilograms (366 lbs) of the material.
The suspects were supposed to go to London Gatwick Airport on a British Airways flight.
The two allegedly concealed the cocaine, which had been divided into 72 slabs, in six luggage, according to Ghana’s Narcotic Control Commission.
Security agencies saw a significant increase in drug seizures in 2022, resulting in a record-breaking total of 59.9 kg of illegal narcotics found.
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