Enforcement agencies destroy 17 tonnes narcotic drugs including cocaine worth $350million
A haul of cocaine, 3,319.66 kilogrammes (3.3 tonnes), has been destroyed at Bundase in the Greater Accra Region.
The banned narcotic, worth over $350 million, was intercepted and seized while being transported to Accra.
The drug had been concealed in sacks, bags, and cunningly hidden in heaps of sand in a tipper truck to evade detection, but the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) intercepted the illicit drug at Pedu junction in Cape Coast earlier this year.
The substance, which is at the centre of a trial at the High Court, was destroyed alongside other drugs in the presence of the media, lawyers and various investigative bodies, including the NIB and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).
Prior to the destruction, staff of the Ghana Standards Authority conducted field tests of the substance, which tested positive in the presence of everyone.
Other substances which were destroyed in yesterday’s exercise include Heroin (10.45kg; Cannabis (1,934.27kg); Methamphetamine (2.00kg); MDMA (ecstasy) - 0.644kg; Ketamine (1.099kg), and Cathinone (15.1kg).
The rest are Codeine, Diclofenac, and Hyergra, all weighing 11,500kg.
In all, 16,826.91kg of Narcotics drugs were destroyed.
Brief
The Director-General of NACOC, Brig. Gen. Maxwell O. Mantey said the substances were destroyed as part of activities to commemorate World Drug Day, which falls on June 26 every year, a day set aside to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.
He announced that from next month, his outfit would start a massive clampdown on illicit substances through collaboration with all stakeholders.
“My simple message to those who perpetrate or who are involved in this illicit black business is that it is not fair to the country. We will not stand and allow them to bring in these illicit drugs to destroy our future leaders.
“This cannot continue in our lovely country, we need peace, security and good health,” Brig. Gen. Mantey declared.
Background
The vigilant NIB operatives were able to intercept the 3.3 tonnes of illicit cargo, with a street value of approximately $350 million, marking a significant milestone in the country's fight against narcotics.
The interception marked the largest cocaine seizure in the country’s history.
The driver of the truck, 39-year-old Isaac Quaicoo, and his mate, Kenneth Cobbinah, a 25-year-old tertiary level student, were arrested for investigation. Also in the dock with them is Mawuku Kudufia.
Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow and Charles Hagan, who the state considers the prime suspects, are still on the run.
