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Ghana forms task force to combat drug trafficking after major cocaine seizure
President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the formation of an inter-agency task force to address narcotics trafficking through Ghana’s borders and ports. This directive follows an emergency security meeting held on September 17, prompted by international drug seizures linked to shipments from Ghana, including a massive seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in Dunkirk, France, valued at approximately $260 million.
Currently, ten individuals are in custody as part of the ongoing investigation, including four officers from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority. In response to the crisis, the President has also ordered the restoration of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to the joint container inspection regime at ports, a role it had lost in 2018.
The newly formed task force has been given two weeks to submit a detailed roadmap to address security vulnerabilities in Ghana’s maritime and land borders. While the government has denied any links between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the trafficking investigations, security experts and opposition members have called for more thorough audits to identify the full extent of institutional failures and potential local involvement in the drug pipeline.
Entities
Felix Kwakye Ofosu · Ghana · Ghana Revenue Authority · Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building · John Dramani Mahama · Jubilee House · Mahama Ayariga · Narcotics Control Commission · National Maritime Security Committee · Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] French customs seized approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a container of plastic waste. ashantireport.com · www.sierraleonemonitor.com · chale.news · www.adomonline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The suspects allegedly facilitated the activities of Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, known as ‘Bolle Jos’. www.sierraleonemonitor.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The cocaine shipment intercepted in Dunkirk, France, is valued at approximately $260 million. ashantireport.com · rainbowradioonline.com · www.sierraleonemonitor.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Minority in Parliament has demanded an independent inquiry into Ghana’s role as a narcotics transit hub. ashantireport.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) arrested three suspects in Ghana linked to the ‘Bolle Jos’ trafficking network. ashantireport.com · www.sierraleonemonitor.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The three suspects are in NACOC custody to assist with investigations into their roles in the trafficking operation. ashantireport.com · www.sierraleonemonitor.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The President ordered the restoration of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to the joint container inspection regime at ports. onuaonline.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] President John Dramani Mahama directed the formation of an inter-agency task force to prevent narcotics trafficking through Ghana’s borders. abcnewsgh.com · onuaonline.com · asaaseradio.com · thechronicle.com.gh
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ten individuals are currently in custody in connection with drug trafficking investigations, including four officers from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority. abcnewsgh.com · chale.news · otecfmghana.com · thechronicle.com.gh · asaaseradio.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated there is no evidence linking any member of the government or the National Democratic Congress to the cocaine trafficking investigations. chale.news · www.adomonline.com · www.myjoyonline.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The inter-agency task force must submit a detailed roadmap outlining measures to address border and port security vulnerabilities within two weeks. abcnewsgh.com · onuaonline.com · asaaseradio.com · thechronicle.com.gh
- [● 4 SOURCES] French authorities seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine from a container that originated from Ghana. chale.news · thevaultznews.com · www.adomonline.com · www.myjoyonline.com