British national, 2 Ghanaians busted at Kotoka with 38kg of cannabis

A joint operation by officers of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) at Kotoka International Airport has led to the arrest of three people one British citizen and two Ghanaians after 38 kilograms of substances believed to be cannabis were uncovered in their luggage.

The arrests took place at the arrival terminal during a routine screening exercise. Security personnel detected anomalies in two suitcases, which upon closer inspection, revealed 25 slabs of compressed material hidden in false compartments. 

Officials say the packaging bore hallmarks of methods commonly used by international drug trafficking syndicates.

Investigators believe the suspects were acting together to transport the consignment. NACOC has confirmed that samples of the seized material have been forwarded to the Ghana Standards Authority for forensic analysis. 

All three suspects remain in custody, assisting with ongoing investigations.

Authorities noted that the operation formed part of a broader strategy to step up surveillance at Ghana’s air and seaports in the face of rising attempts to smuggle narcotics into and out of the country.

Previous bust at Kotoka

This latest seizure comes weeks after NACOC agents intercepted an attempted shipment of seven slabs of cocaine weighing 8 kilograms through Swissport at Kotoka. The consignments, destined for the United Kingdom, were foiled on August 13 and 14, 2025.

At the time, officials described the concealment methods as highly sophisticated, designed to outwit airport security systems. The main suspect behind that trafficking attempt was later tracked down through surveillance and intelligence-led operations and remains in custody.

According to NACOC, the individual is suspected of playing a central role in a wider West Africa–Europe narcotics network. The Commission has assured the public of its determination to dismantle such networks while tightening security protocols at all entry points