Jessica Hartog arraigned in $260m cocaine shipment case

Jessica Hartog, a 34-year-old spa owner from East Legon, has been arraigned before Ghana's High Court in Accra alongside three other defendants. The group is accused of involvement in a massive narcotics shipment involving approximately four tonnes of suspected cocaine valued at roughly $260 million.

The case stems from the interception of a 40-foot shipping container at the port of Dunkirk, France, in September 2026. The shipment had been sent from Ghana and was declared as containing plastic waste, but French authorities discovered the prohibited substances concealed within.

Alongside Hartog, the accused include businessman Desmond Koranteng Curiel, Musah Attah, and Kweku Otchere. All four suspects have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Investigations by Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) reportedly led to the recovery of three firearms, ammunition, four luxury vehicles, several passports, and various sums of cash.

Hartog, identified in court as Curiel's fiancée, told investigators she was unaware of the specifics of his business dealings. The High Court has remanded the suspects into custody, and the case is adjourned until October 13, 2026.