Tema: The Tema Regional Police Command has successfully intercepted 866 parcels of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine, with an estimated street value of $6.9 million, and has arrested four individuals in two separate intelligence-led anti-narcotics operations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Eric Asamoah Asiedu, the Tema Regional Police Commander, shared details of the operations during a press briefing in Tema. The first operation took place at 19:50 on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Acting on intelligence that suspected narcotics were concealed in sacks of gari, police officers moved to a warehouse in the Tema Harbour enclave. They intercepted a 40-foot container mounted on a white DAF truck with registration number WR 1118-10 and arrested three suspects: Gilano Horwin, a 31-year-old Dutch national, John Mensah Sabah, 41, and Alhaji Iddris Haruna, 52. The suspects were supervising the loading of the container.
A search of the gari sacks uncovered 866 wrapped parcels of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine, valued at $6,928,000. DCOP Asiedu revealed that the Dutch national allegedly admitted the consignment was his and that it was cocaine. The exhibits have been secured for forensic examination to determine the substance's exact composition and to assist in investigations into its intended destination.
In a separate operation earlier that day, police officers at Tsopoli intercepted an Opel taxi with registration number ER 564-X, carrying four sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. DCOP Asiedu explained that the Tsopoli Police joined a pursuit initiated by an officer from the Akuse Police Command and commercial motorcyclists from Osu Wem after a Hyundai H100 bus and the taxi fled from the Akuse area. Although the Hyundai H100 bus escaped, the motorcyclists assisted in blocking the taxi on the Agotor-Kpatsredor Road, resulting in the arrest of the driver, Eric Tetteh.
The Regional Commander stated that the suspect allegedly confessed to transporting the suspected narcotic substance from a village near Akuse. Investigations are ongoing to trace the escaped Hyundai H100 bus, identify its occupants, and locate individuals who reportedly removed a fifth sack from the taxi before the police intercepted it.
DCOP Asiedu confirmed that all four suspects are in police custody assisting with investigations. He emphasized the Tema Regional Police Command's dedication to combating drug trafficking and other organized crimes and urged the public to continue providing credible information to support law enforcement efforts.