Tema police intercept suspected cocaine worth US$6.9 million, arrest four

The Tema Regional Police Command has intercepted 866 parcels of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine with an estimated street value of US$6.9 million and arrested four persons in two separate intelligence-led anti-narcotics operations. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Eric Asamoah Asiedu, the Tema Regional Police Commander, disclosed this at a press briefing at Tema on Thursday. 

He said the first operation was carried out at about 19:50 hours on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, after police received intelligence that suspected narcotics concealed in sacks of gari, were being loaded into a 40-foot container mounted on a white DAF truck with registration number WR 1118-10, at a warehouse within the Tema Harbour enclave. 

DCOP Asiedu said police officers proceeded to the location and arrested three suspects identified as Gilano Horwin, a 31-year-old Dutch national, John Mensah Sabah, 41, and Alhaji Iddris Haruna, 52, who were supervising the loading. 

He said a search of the gari sacks revealed 866 wrapped parcels of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine with an estimated street value of US$6,928,000. 

DCOP Asiedu said the Dutch national allegedly admitted during interrogation that the consignment belonged to him and that it was cocaine. 

He added that the exhibits had been secured for forensic examination to determine the exact composition of the substance and assist investigations into its intended destination. 

In a separate operation earlier on the same day, police officers at Tsopoli also intercepted an Opel taxi with registration number ER 564-X, carrying four sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. 

DCOP Asiedu said the Tsopoli Police joined an ongoing pursuit initiated by an officer from the Akuse Police Command and commercial motorcyclists from Osu Wem after a Hyundai H100 bus and the taxi fled from the Akuse area. 

He said while the Hyundai H100 bus escaped, the commercial motorcyclists assisted the police in blocking the taxi on the Agotor-Kpatsredor Road, leading to the arrest of the driver, Eric Tetteh. 

The Regional Commander said the suspect allegedly admitted transporting the suspected narcotic substance from a village near Akuse. 

He said investigations were underway to trace the escaped Hyundai H100 bus, identify its occupants, and locate persons who allegedly removed a fifth sack from the taxi before police intercepted it. 

DCOP Asiedu said all four suspects were in police custody assisting with investigations. 

He reiterated the Tema Regional Police Command’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and other organised crimes and appealed to the public to continue providing credible information to support law enforcement efforts. 

Source: GNA