152kgs of cocaine concealed in sugar intercepted at Tema

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has intercepted 152kg of cocaine (15 slabs) in Tema in the Greater Accra Region.

The joint operation by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) led to the seizure of the illegal substance which was concealed in a shipment of sugar from Brazil, a statement from the Commission indicated.

According to the statement, the operation was based on intelligence received that 50 containers of sugar destined for Ghana from Brazil were likely to have substances suspected to be narcotics concealed in it.

“Acting on the intelligence, NACOC, together with BNI and NSCS, mounted surveillance on the shipment until the suspected narcotic substances were retrieved from the consignment of sugar on Saturday, 12 September 2020,” the statement said.

It added that with the assistance of some officials from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority stationed at the warehouse, a physical search on the suspected containers and the bags of sugar commenced on Thursday, September 10, 2020.

“The suspected narcotics substances were on Saturday, 12 September 2020, found concealed among the bags of sugar in container number MSCU6874205. Eight (8) bags of sugar were identified to have suspected narcotic substances concealed in each. In all, 150 slabs of substances suspected to be narcotics were retrieved from the consignment under the joint operation,” it added.

It said the exhibits were field tested and proved positive for cocaine.

Per preliminary investigations by NACOC, it emerged that the said consignment of sugar was to be delivered to Tradepass Gh Limited.

So far, some persons have been arrested to assist security agencies with investigations.