Ghanaians across the political divide are calling for a thorough investigation into the repeated discovery of illicit drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, in shipments linked to Ghana. The calls follow a series of drug seizures in different countries involving consignments that originated from or passed through Ghana, raising concerns about the country’s role in the international trafficking of narcotics.
For many Ghanaians, the issue goes beyond partisan politics and touches on Ghana’s reputation as a regional hub for legitimate trade and commerce. They are demanding answers from the government and relevant security and law enforcement agencies on how illicit substances are being concealed in shipments, whether the consignments are being deliberately routed through Ghana, and whether criminal networks operating locally are facilitating the trade.
The growing concern has also prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability from the authorities. Beyond arresting individuals involved in particular cases, Ghanaians want a comprehensive investigation into the networks behind these shipments, the points at which the drugs enter or leave the country, and whether there are weaknesses within Ghana’s ports, customs, logistics and security systems that traffickers may be exploiting.
This article looks at the major international drug busts involving shipments from Ghana to the West under the 20-month-old government of President John Dramani Mahama.
1. Australian police intercept 320kg of illegal drugs valued at $296 million imported from Ghana:
In July 2026, the Australian Federal Police intercepted about 320kg of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $296 million, which it says was imported into the country from Ghana.
According to the federal police, the drugs were discovered in two shipping containers from Ghana during an investigation at Sydney’s Port Botany after some anomalies were detected.
They indicated that the illegal drugs were hidden in bags of charcoal and were discovered through an X-ray of the contents of the bags.
“The AFP launched an investigation after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney’s Port Botany detected anomalies in two shipping containers from Ghana.
“The consignment, which was purported to be bags of charcoal, was subsequently X-rayed, with ABF officers locating a white crystallised substance. Forensic testing established the consignment contained about 320kg of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $296 million,” parts of the statement, which was shared on Facebook on July 18, 2026, read.
The federal police also indicated that it had arrested a UK woman and an Adelaide-based couple in connection with the collection of the intercepted drugs, who have been “charged over their alleged involvement in the failed import”.
They indicated that the suspects were arrested after officers traced the drugs to their destination.
“The drugs were removed and the consignment was delivered to a storage facility in Girraween, where the UK national allegedly supervised a number of men unpacking the shipping container. A number of bags were loaded into a vehicle and driven to a house in Blacktown. Shortly after, AFP investigators executed a search warrant at the Blacktown house and arrested the UK woman.
“Further inquiries resulted in an additional search warrant at a house in Oakden, South Australia, where the Adelaide couple were arrested,” the police added.
Multiple arrests of suspects believed to be behind the shipment were later made in Ghana.
2. Dutch authorities seize 4,500kg of cocaine from Ghana linked to fugitive Leijdekkers:
In November 2025, Dutch authorities intercepted and seized over 4,500kg of cocaine at the Port of Amsterdam, which they say was shipped from Ghana and concealed in wood products, multiple Dutch news sources have reported.
According to a report by ghanabusinessnews.com, the authorities said that the shipment, believed to be linked to the most wanted man in Europe, Jos Leijdekkers, was destined for Germany.
The haul is the largest ever to be seized at the Port of Amsterdam. The biggest drug haul in Dutch history was 8,000kg of cocaine seized at the Port of Rotterdam in 2023.
The report indicated that the Public Prosecution Service stated that three people were arrested. The three men were a 72-year-old, a 69-year-old and a 42-year-old.
The 72-year-old man from Chaam, Noord-Brabant, was allegedly used as a front, receiving payment to register the importing business in his name. During his arrest on October 5, authorities seized four mobile phones, which they examined as part of investigations into his role and the movement of funds.
According to officials, an examination of the phone belonging to the 72-year-old ‘business owner’, whose company was listed as the importing entity, led investigators to the 69-year-old Amsterdam resident. The 69-year-old remains in custody, while the 72-year-old has been released after questioning.
Authorities also said a 42-year-old man from Amsterdam was arrested earlier in connection with the case. He has since been released.
3. $261m worth of cocaine hidden in plastic waste shipment from Ghana seized in France
The latest drug bust involving a shipment from Ghana was in France.
French customs officers have seized nearly 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of €225 million, equivalent to about $261.45 million, in a shipment from Ghana, according to a Reuters news report.
The shipment was confiscated at the northern French port of Dunkirk on Thursday, September 10, 2026, according to France’s organised crime prosecutor’s office.
The cocaine was concealed inside a container carrying plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana. The shipment was reportedly destined, in part, for Antwerp, Belgium.
The drugs have since been destroyed, while French prosecutors have opened an investigation into the seizure.
According to the report, France’s judicial police had been targeting the criminal network allegedly behind the shipment before the cocaine was seized.
The investigation includes charges of organised narcotics importation and participation in a criminal association, offences that carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
So far, no arrests or involvement of security officials from Ghana in the bust have been announced.
Source: Ghanaweb