Majority Leader James Agalga has made a startling revelation about two private jets allegedly used to transport approximately 45 tonnes of cocaine into Ghana in December 2023.
James Agalga disclosed this while responding to comments by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who had raised concerns about what he described as the increasing number of drug seizures in the country.
Agalga challenged Afenyo-Markin’s criticism, arguing that the New Patriotic Party (NPP), during its time in government, recorded a higher number of drug seizures and arrests.
To support his argument, the Majority Leader referenced a major drug trafficking case recorded under the Akufo-Addo administration, involving two private jets allegedly used to ferry about 45 tonnes of cocaine into Ghana in December 2023.
He suggested that the previous administration’s record on drug-related incidents undermined the Minority Leader’s attempt to criticise the current government over the issue.
Speaking at the Leaders’ Media Briefing on November 3, 2026, Agalga disclosed, “The most damning part is that in 2023, two private jets – the jets are Gulfstreams – allegedly delivered about 45 tonnes of cocaine to Ghana in December 2023. The jets are currently confiscated and are parked at the Air Force Base in Accra.
“I would encourage all of you to go to the Air Force Base. I will seek special clearance for you to go and inspect the seized Gulfstream jets. There are two, and these jets were confiscated in 2023. They brought cocaine into this country,” he said.
He further defended the government’s handling of drug-related cases, “I thought we should have been showering praises on the security agencies of this country, because the amount of cocaine that was seized at Pedu Junction is colossal and it was as a result of intelligence-led operations. So, the narrative is not that bad after all”.
“But my brother has chosen to lump the two together. Be that as it may, I want to take us down memory lane, because he’s saying that the seizures are becoming too numerous and rampant, and that is a manifestation of something fundamentally wrong with drug law enforcement in this country.
“I say no. If you are counting the numbers, then the Minority Leader should remember that when his own government was in power, when he was Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, we recorded more seizures, more arrests under their watch,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has announced the arrest of three foreign nationals in Ghana in connection with a 46.7-kilogramme cocaine consignment seized at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon.
According to NACOC, the suspects comprise a Syrian, Tunisian and Lebanese national.
They disclosed that the three suspects were arrested in separate intelligence-led operations on Tuesday, November 3, after information shared by Lebanese law enforcement authorities.
Two of the suspects, a man and a woman, were arrested in Accra, while the third was also arrested in a separate operation.
Their arrest forms part of ongoing investigations by Ghanaian and Lebanese security agencies to identify individuals suspected of facilitating the movement of the cocaine shipment.
The development follows a Syrian national who was busted in Lebanon after arriving from Ghana with 40 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine concealed in two bags at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport.
Reports suggest the suspect was apprehended shortly after arriving on a flight from Accra International Airport, following what reports describe as surveillance that began before he departed from Ghana and continued until he arrived in Lebanon.
According to reports, officers from Lebanon’s General Security monitored the passenger from the moment he disembarked from the aircraft until he collected his two bags.
The officers subsequently coordinated with Customs officials to conduct a search, which led to the discovery of 40 boxes containing cocaine, with each box weighing approximately one kilogramme.
Electronic tracking devices, identified as AirTags, were also reportedly found fitted within the packages.
The Syrian national was arrested, while the suspected cocaine was seized and taken into custody.
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