Ghana destroys $350m cocaine haul seized from sand truck
Ghana has destroyed cocaine worth more than $350 million seized at Pedu Junction after securing a court order, while suspects linked to the case face prosecution.
Ghanaian authorities have destroyed cocaine valued at more than $350 million after securing a court order to dispose of the narcotic substance seized in the Central Region.
The Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, told Parliament that the cocaine was destroyed after authorities obtained legal approval, with evidence of the process submitted to the Parliamentary Assurance Committee.
The drugs were intercepted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast in March 2025 after being discovered concealed in a tipper truck carrying sand.
"The pen drive that was added to the committee shows all the evidence. It shows the video of the destruction because we cannot destroy any drugs without a court order, which we secured and have provided," Mr Mubarak said.
He explained that the destruction of the cocaine does not bring an end to the criminal proceedings against those accused of involvement in the shipment.
Suspects still facing prosecution
Three people are currently before the courts in connection with the seizure and have been granted bail.
Mr Mubarak said the prosecution is ongoing and that authorities are waiting for a new court date after a previous hearing was disrupted by the floods that affected parts of the country.
"The substantive case is one that has been prosecuted. The last adjourned date was 30th of April, and they were to reappear on 29th of June. Unfortunately, 29th June was the day of the flood, so they are now waiting to get a new court date," he said.
The minister assured Parliament that updates would be provided once the legal process is completed.
International hunt for suspects
Mr Mubarak said investigations are continuing to identify any other individuals who may have been connected to the cocaine shipment.
He said Ghanaian authorities are working with international partners, including Interpol, to track possible suspects outside the country.
Domestic measures, including the use of stop lists, are also being applied to prevent persons linked to the case from leaving the country.
The Interior Minister said the seizure formed part of wider efforts by Ghana's security agencies to disrupt international narcotics trafficking networks.
Major drug interception
The cocaine was intercepted after intelligence-led operations by security agencies uncovered the concealed shipment at Pedu Junction.
The seizure, which authorities valued at about $350 million on the street, is among Ghana's largest recent narcotics interceptions and has raised renewed attention on efforts to prevent the country from being used as a transit route for illegal drugs.
Authorities say investigations into the wider network behind the shipment remain ongoing.