The formation of an inter-agency task force is expected in the next 14 days as part of efforts to curb trafficking of drugs out Ghana. The group has been tasked by President John Dramani Mahama to develop a detailed roadmap on measures to prevent the trafficking of drugs through Ghana’s borders.

This information was contained in a press release by issued by the President on Thursday, September 17 after the President met with security chiefs and Ministers at the Jubilee House.

The statement read, “President John Dramani Mahama today chaired a meeting of security chiefs and received detailed briefing on investigations into the recent trafficking of drugs out of the ports of Ghana. The President was informed that ten (10) individuals, including four officers of the Customs Division of the GRA are being held while investigations continue.

The meeting reviewed the structure and security systems in place and recommended new actions.

“President Mahama directed that an inter-agency task force be formed to present a detailed roadmap, emanating from today's meeting, on measures to prevent the trafficking of drugs through Ghana's borders in two weeks”.

The meeting follows the seizure by French customs of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, valued at about €225 million, at the northern port of Dunkirk on September 10.

The seizure was carried out on Thursday, September 10, at the northern port of Dunkirk. The drugs were hidden in a container that was reportedly en route to Antwerp, Belgium, in part.

Authorities in France say the interception came after judicial police targeted a criminal syndicate believed to be behind the consignment. Meanwhile, ten (10) individuals, including four officers of the Customs Division of the GRA are being held while investigations continue.

Over the past 18 months, Ghana has been featured repeatedly in major trafficking cases. On 4 March 2025, more than 3.3 tonnes of cocaine concealed beneath sand and reportedly travelling from Takoradi to Accra, with an estimated street value exceeding US$350 million, were intercepted.

More recently, government authorities have stepped up efforts to curb the illegal smuggling and sale of prohibited goods, including narcotic drugs, across the country.

In August, three persons were remanded by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly concealing 869 slabs of suspected cocaine in bags of gari and cassava powder in Tema.

The accused persons are Gilano Jorgino Holwin, a Dutch security guard; Alhaji Iddrisu Haruna, a 56-year-old transporter; and John Mensah Sarbah, a 41-year-old clearing agent.

On August 5, police officers stationed at the Tema Regional Criminal Investigations Department apprehended the defendants at the Golden Suvineur warehouse at the Main Harbour in Tema, after acting on intelligence.

The latest interception comes months after the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) seized a consignment containing approximately five million Tramadol tablets valued at an estimated GH¢100 million at the Accra International Airport (AIA) following an intelligence-led operation.

Three suspects were also arrested in connection with the intercepted consignment. In a related development, the Police in March arrested nine public officers, including five Customs officials, for their alleged involvement in an undeclared Tramadol consignment at Tema Port.

The remaining four comprised one officer each from the Narcotics Control Commission, Port Security, the Energy Commission, and the Ghana Standards Authority.