Beirut:Security analyst Adib Saani has criticized the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) following the arrest of a Syrian national in Lebanon with 46.7 kilogrammes of cocaine, allegedly transported from Accra. He questioned the circumstances that allowed such a substantial quantity of narcotics to leave Ghana's borders.
According to Ghana Web, Saani described the incident as a significant embarrassment for Ghana, raising concerns about the country's border security and its involvement in international drug trafficking. The Lebanese authorities labeled the seizure at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport as the largest in the airport's history.
NACOC has stated that the arrest was part of a coordinated controlled delivery operation involving both Ghanaian and Lebanese law enforcement agencies. The Commission issued a statement indicating that the operation aimed to identify and apprehend individuals at both ends of the drug supply chain and to gather intelligence to dismantle the wider international criminal network. Efforts are reportedly underway to identify and arrest suspected accomplices in Ghana.
However, Saani, writing for the Jatikay Centre, expressed dissatisfaction with NACOC's explanation, suggesting it may be an attempt at damage control. In a Facebook post, he questioned the operational details and demanded clarity on several points, including why Lebanese authorities initially credited only their agencies without acknowledging Ghana's involvement.
Saani also highlighted discrepancies in the reported quantities of the cocaine, with NACOC citing approximately 40 kilogrammes while Lebanese Customs reported 46.7 kilogrammes. He insisted on a clear explanation for this difference and called for accountability in the investigation.
Saani warned that repeated incidents of narcotics shipments leaving Ghana could harm its international reputation and confidence in its security institutions. He urged Ghana's security agencies to demonstrate competence and accountability in combating international drug trafficking rather than relying on public relations statements.
Source Ghana Web