Dutch national among three arrested over $6.9m suspected cocaine haul in Ghana
Ghana police say the suspected cocaine was concealed in sacks of gari inside a 40-foot container at the Tema Port enclave, with three suspects arrested during an intelligence-led operation.
A Dutch national and two other suspects have been arrested after Ghanaian police intercepted 866 parcels of a substance suspected to be cocaine hidden in sacks of gari at the Tema Port enclave.
The suspected drugs, which police estimate have a street value of about $6.9m, were discovered during an intelligence-led operation on Wednesday evening.
The suspects have been identified as 31-year-old Dutch national Gilano Horwin, John Mensah Sabah, 41, and Alhaji Iddris Haruna, 52.
Tema Regional Police Commander DCOP Eric Asamoah Asiedu said officers acted on information that a white powdered substance concealed in sacks of gari was being loaded into a 40-foot container at a warehouse near the port.
Police arrived at the warehouse at about 7:15pm on 5 August and found the three men allegedly supervising the loading operation.
The container, mounted on a white DAF truck with registration number WR 1118-10, was escorted to the Tema Regional Police Headquarters, where a search uncovered 866 parcels of the suspected cocaine.
DCOP Asiedu said the Dutch suspect allegedly admitted during questioning that the substance was cocaine and claimed ownership of the consignment.
The three suspects remain in police custody as investigators work to establish the source of the shipment and identify others who may be connected to the attempted export.
The seized substance has been secured and will undergo forensic examination to confirm its identity.
Separate drug operation
In a separate operation on the same day, police in Prampram arrested a taxi driver after intercepting four sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp at Tsopoli.
Police said the vehicle was stopped following information that a taxi carrying suspected narcotics was being pursued.
The Tema Regional Police Command said investigations into both cases are ongoing and appealed to the public to provide information that could help track other suspects linked to drug trafficking.