Omanghana
The Narcotics Control Commission has arrested three Ghanaian nationals suspected of representing and facilitating the activities of wanted Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos,” in Ghana.
The arrests followed the interception of nearly 3.9 tones of cocaine by French customs officials at the port of Dunkirk.
The drugs were reportedly concealed in a container carrying plastic waste shipped from Ghana. Part of the consignment was said to be destined for Antwerp, Belgium.
French authorities estimated the street value of the cocaine at approximately €225 million, equivalent to about $261 million.
NACOC said the suspects had been under surveillance before the seizure became public and were not arrested solely because of the interception in France.
Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations at NACOC, Francis Opoku Amoah, explained that investigators had gathered intelligence on the three individuals over a period of time.
He said the commission avoided making immediate arrests because investigators wanted to monitor the suspects, determine their respective roles and collect additional evidence without alerting other persons potentially connected to the operation.
The coordinated approach was also intended to allow officers to apprehend the suspects together and reduce the possibility of one escaping after learning about the arrest of another.
NACOC believes the suspects may have acted as local representatives or facilitators for Leijdekkers. The commission has not, however, released their names or disclosed the specific evidence allegedly linking each person to the Dutch fugitive.
The three remain in NACOC custody and are assisting with investigations into the movement of the container and the organization of the suspected trafficking operation.
No final findings of guilt have been made against them, and the commission has pledged to respect their legal rights throughout the investigation.
NACOC said the case demonstrates the importance of intelligence sharing and cooperation among national and international law-enforcement agencies.
Director-General Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey has previously called for stronger cross-border coordination to combat cocaine trafficking, synthetic drugs and the financial systems supporting transnational organised crime.
The commission said it would continue working with local and foreign partners to identify and disrupt the individuals, finances and logistical infrastructure sustaining international drug networks.
It also reaffirmed its determination to prevent Ghana from being used as a safe haven, transit route or operational base by global narcotics cartels.
Source: Omanghana
