In a groundbreaking anti-drug operation, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has seized a staggering 3.3 tonnes of high-purity cocaine valued at over $350 million. The illicit consignment, en route from the Western Region to Accra, marks one of Ghana’s largest drug busts in recent years.
The operation unfolded on March 4, 2025, at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast, where NIB operatives intercepted a tipper truck loaded with sand. Concealed beneath the sand were 143 sacks of cocaine. Acting on intelligence, the truck, which originated from Takoradi and was headed to Weija in Accra, was stopped and searched. Two individuals, identified as Isaac Quaicoe and Kenneth Cobbinah, were onboard and immediately taken into custody.
Initial field tests conducted by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) confirmed the substance to be raw cocaine. The intercepted load initially weighed 2,974 kilograms. However, the discovery did not end there.
In a follow-up operation on March 8, 2025, NIB agents raided a suspect’s residence, unearthing an additional 13 sacks and one bag of suspected cocaine. This supplementary find weighed 345.07 kilograms, bringing the total haul to a staggering 3,319.68 kilograms. Laboratory analyses performed by NACOC and the Ghana Standards Authority revealed the cocaine’s purity to range between 50% and 70%, underscoring its potency and immense street value.
Preliminary investigations suggest the consignment entered Ghana via sea, utilizing fishing vessels as a cover for its transport. Authorities believe the operation is part of a sophisticated international drug trafficking network.
The suspects, Quaicoe and Cobbinah, have been remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in court on April 2, 2025. Meanwhile, the NIB is actively pursuing other individuals implicated in the case. “This is a significant breakthrough in our fight against narcotics. We remain resolute in dismantling these criminal networks,” an NIB spokesperson stated.
This seizure not only highlights the vigilance of Ghanaian security forces but also signals the increasing need for international cooperation to combat the growing menace of drug trafficking in West Africa. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network behind the smuggling operation.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
