Three suspects, including a Dutch national, have been picked up by the police over an 866-parcel cocaine haul worth US$6.9 million at the Tema Port enclave. The arrests were made in an intelligence-led operation by the Tema police on August 5, 2026.
Cocaine Seized in Sacks of Gari at Tema Port
The police intercepted a 40-foot container being loaded with the parcels at a warehouse within the Tema Port enclave. According to Tema Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Eric Asamoah Asiedu, the consignment was being prepared for export when a police team arrived at the scene and found three men supervising the loading operation.
The suspects, Gilano Horwin, a 31-year-old Dutch national, John Mensah Sabah, 41, and Alhaji Iddris Haruna, were detained along with the white DAF truck with registration number WR 1118-10 on which the container was mounted. The police recovered 866 parcels of a white substance suspected to be cocaine, with an estimated value of US$6,928,000.
Interrogation Reveals Suspects' Claims
During interrogation, Gilano Horwin allegedly stated that the substance was cocaine and claimed ownership of it. The three suspects have been detained to assist investigations, while the exhibits have been secured for forensic examination to determine the exact nature of the substance.
Ongoing Investigations
The Regional Commander said investigations were ongoing. He did not provide further details on the next steps in the investigation. The recovery of the cocaine and the arrest of the suspects are significant, given the estimated value of the substance and the fact that it was concealed in sacks of gari at the Tema Port enclave.
In a separate operation on the same day, the Prampram District Police intercepted a taxi allegedly transporting substances suspected to be Indian hemp. However, this operation is not directly related to the cocaine seizure at the Tema Port.
The Tema Port is a major trade hub in Ghana, and the seizure of such a large quantity of cocaine is a significant concern for law enforcement. The police are likely to face a complex investigation, given the international nature of the trade and the fact that the substance was concealed in sacks of gari.
Source: Joy Online
