Accra:An 80-year-old South Korean fugitive, wanted for his alleged involvement in cocaine shipments worth approximately US$3.6 billion, has been deported from Ghana to South Korea. The man, who has been on the run for 22 years, was repatriated on October 20, 2026.
According to Ghana Web, the deportation was facilitated through the collaborative efforts of Ghanaian authorities and the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), as reported by the Yonhap News Agency. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, reportedly lived in Ghana as an undocumented immigrant since around 2004 after fleeing South Korea when his alleged accomplices were arrested.
The suspect is accused of transporting over five tonnes of cocaine on five separate occasions between 2002 and 2004. During this period, he worked as a supervisor on a deep-sea fishing vessel operating in international waters off the coast of South America. The cocaine shipments are believed to have totaled 5,385 kilogrammes, with an estimated value of 4.8 trillion won (approximately US$3.6 billion). The drugs were allegedly transported on behalf of a trafficking organization, with the suspect receiving payment for his involvement.
Efforts to secure his return were led by the Busan Coast Guard, which had placed the suspect on the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)'s wanted list. The KNPA confirmed his location through information shared with the Ghanaian police, leading to his deportation and return to South Korea in coordination with the Busan Coast Guard.