Four Ghanaians have been remanded by the High Court in Accra over their alleged involvement in a plot to export about four tonnes of cocaine from Ghana to France.
The four were remanded after they were charged and arraigned before the High Court in Accra.
The accused have been identified as Desmond Koranteng Curiel, alias “Paul Kweku Yeboah” or “Biggs”; Musah Attah, alias “Kromo”; Kweku Otchere; and Jessica Hartog.
According to reports, they were arraigned on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and are facing two charges: Conspiracy to commit a crime, namely the exportation of narcotic drugs without a licence issued by the Minister of Health and Exportation of narcotic drugs.
The charges were filed against the four on Wednesday, and the hearing was held shortly afterwards.
The four have been remanded for four weeks and are expected to reappear before the court on October 13, 2026.
A fifth suspect, Jos Leijdekkers, alias “Bolle Jos”, a Dutch national, is said to be on the run.
The development follows French customs officials having intercepted nearly 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine, worth about $261 million, in a shipment from Ghana.
According to Reuters news, the shipment was confiscated at the northern French port of Dunkirk on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
The cocaine was concealed in 167 packages inside a container carrying plastic waste from Ghana and destined for Antwerp, Belgium.
The 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine is allegedly linked to the criminal organisation of fugitive Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers.
Reports suggest the drugs have since been destroyed, with French prosecutors opening an investigation into the seizure.
According to French authorities, the seizure followed a targeted operation by the judicial police against a criminal network suspected of being behind the shipment, with the investigation focused on offences including the organised importation of narcotics and participation in a criminal association.
The seizure is expected to form part of the broader investigation into the movement of the cocaine from Ghana to France and the criminal network alleged to have organised the shipment.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has summoned a high-level meeting of state institutions involved in Ghana’s border security, ports, customs and law enforcement to address growing concerns over narcotics trafficking and other illicit substances following another major drug seizure linked to Ghana.
According to an invitation issued by the Office of the President and signed by Secretary to the President Callistus Mahama on Monday, September 14 2026, the meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at the Jubilee House.
The invitation stated, “You are respectfully invited to attend a high-level meeting to discuss measures to strengthen Ghana’s border security and prevent the trafficking of narcotic drugs and other illicit substances through the country’s ports, airports and land borders.
The meeting will review existing vulnerabilities, intelligence-sharing arrangements, cargo and passenger- screening systems, inter-agency coordination, and the deployment of technology to detect and disrupt narcotics trafficking. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 17th September 2026 at 12:30 p.m. at the Jubilee House.
Each institution should be represented by its head, accompanied by no more than one relevant technical officer. Participants should come prepared to provide a brief assessment of existing security gaps and propose practical measures to improve intelligence sharing, surveillance, screening, and joint enforcement operations.
Given the urgency and national security implications, your personal attendance is required.
Please accept the highest regards of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic”.
Meanwhile, among the institutions invited are the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority and Ghana Police Service.
The National Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Airports Company Limited and other operators within the ports and shipping sector are also expected to participate.
@ghnow_ Meet a visually impaired elderly man in Akuapem Akropong who has sold coconuts for over two decades and says he can even climb coconut trees despite his condition. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – Just For Laughs ✅
@ghnow_ Beneficiaries go home with a mattress and chop box received from Hon. Nii Commey’s donation exercise in the Domeabra Obom Constituency. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – King Paluta
