The Tema Regional Police Command has seized 866 parcels of a white powdered substance suspected to be cocaine, with an estimated street value of US$6.928 million, in a major anti-narcotics operation.
Three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure, while a separate operation at Tsopoli on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, led to the arrest of another suspect and the seizure of four sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
Briefing journalists in Tema on Thursday, August 6, the Tema Regional Police Commander, DCOP Eric Asamoah Asiedu, said the operations demonstrated the Command’s commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks through intelligence-led policing and public cooperation.
According to him, at about 7:50 p.m. on August 5, the Command received intelligence that some individuals were loading parcels of a white powdered substance concealed in sacks of gari into a 40-foot container at a warehouse within the Tema Harbour enclave.
A police team was immediately dispatched to the location, where officers encountered three men allegedly supervising the loading operation.
They were identified as Gilano Horwin, 31, a Dutch national; John Mensah Sabah, 41; and Alhaji Iddris Haruna, 52.
The suspects were allegedly loading sacks of gari into a container mounted on a white DAF truck with registration number WR 1118-10.
The three men, together with the truck and consignment, were escorted to the Tema Regional Police Headquarters for further investigation.
A thorough search of the consignment subsequently uncovered 866 parcels of the suspected cocaine concealed inside the sacks of gari.
The suspected narcotics have an estimated street value of US$6,928,000, making the seizure one of the largest recorded by the Tema Regional Police Command in recent times.
DCOP Asiedu said during interrogation, Gilano Horwin allegedly admitted that the substance was cocaine and claimed ownership of it.
The three suspects remain in police custody to assist with investigations, while the seized exhibits have been secured for forensic examination to establish the exact nature of the substance.
Police are also investigating the intended destination of the consignment and working to identify other persons who may have been involved in the attempted export.
Four sacks of suspected indian hemp seized at Tsopoli
In a separate operation on the same day, the Prampram District Police Command intercepted an Opel taxi allegedly transporting suspected Indian hemp at Tsopoli.
DCOP Asiedu said police received information at about 5:00 p.m. that a taxi loaded with suspected narcotics was being pursued.
Officers responded and joined an officer from the Akuse Police Command, who had initiated the pursuit with assistance from commercial motor riders from Osuwem.
The chase involved a Hyundai H100 bus and an Opel taxi with registration number ER 564-X, both allegedly carrying sacks containing suspected Indian hemp.
While the Hyundai H100 bus managed to escape, the Opel taxi diverted onto the Agotor-Kpatsredor Road towards Tsopoli, where commercial motor riders assisted the police in intercepting the vehicle.
The driver, identified as Eric Tetteh, was arrested.
A search of the vehicle uncovered four sacks containing dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, which were seized along with the taxi.
According to the Regional Police Commander, Eric Tetteh allegedly admitted during interrogation that he was transporting the suspected narcotics from a village near Akuse.
Police are currently working to identify and arrest individuals who allegedly removed a fifth sack from the scene.
Efforts are also underway to trace the escaped Hyundai H100 bus and apprehend those connected to the case.
DCOP Asiedu reiterated the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to intensifying intelligence-led operations to prevent the movement of illicit drugs through the Tema Region.
He cautioned persons involved in narcotics-related activities that the police would continue to pursue them and ensure that they face the full rigours of the law.
He further appealed to the public to provide credible information that could assist the police in identifying the occupants of the escaped Hyundai H100 bus and other persons linked to the cases.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.
