Omanghana
The High Court in Accra has remanded four Ghanaians accused of participating in an international narcotics trafficking operation involving nearly 3.9 tones of cocaine allegedly exported from Ghana to France.
The accused persons are Desmond Koranteng Curiel, also known as Paul Kweku Yeboah or “Biggs”; Musah Attah, alias “Kromo”; Kweku Otchere; and Jessica Hartog.
They have been charged with conspiracy to export narcotic drugs without a licences issued by the Minister for Health and the substantive offence of exporting narcotic drugs without authorization.
The prosecution alleges that the four accused persons served as local representatives and facilitators of an international drug trafficking network believed to be led by wanted Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, widely known as “Bolle Jos.”
Leijdekkers, who is suspected of being the principal figure behind the alleged operation, remains at large as law enforcement agencies continue efforts to track him and other possible members of the network.
The court ordered the four accused persons to remain in custody for four weeks. They are expected to return to court on October 13, 2026, as investigations and other legal processes continue.
The case followed the interception of a shipping container by French customs officials at the northern French port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
The container, which reportedly originated from Ghana, was declared as carrying plastic waste. A detailed inspection, however, allegedly uncovered approximately 3.9 tones of cocaine concealed among the cargo.
Authorities estimated the seized narcotics to have a street value of about €225 million, equivalent to roughly $261 million. Investigators believe part of the consignment was intended to be transported from France to Antwerp in Belgium.
The arrests in Ghana reportedly followed intelligence sharing and coordinated investigations involving the Narcotics Control Commission and French law enforcement agencies.
Investigators are seeking to establish how the container allegedly passed through Ghana’s export processes and port security checks without the narcotics being detected before departure.
The inquiry is also expected to examine the preparation and documentation of the shipment, the individuals involved in transporting the container and any possible assistance the alleged network may have received.
Authorities are continuing their joint investigation to identify other people believed to be connected to the consignment and determine whether the intercepted shipment formed part of a wider trafficking operation.
The accused persons remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
Source: Omanghana
