A High Court in Accra has ordered the destruction of 3,319.66 kilogrammes of cocaine seized in what is now the largest drug bust in Ghana’s history. The court issued the directive after laboratory tests confirmed the substance as cocaine, clearing the way for the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to proceed with its disposal.
The cocaine, valued at approximately $350 million on the street, was intercepted in March 2025 at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast. It had been concealed in 2,970 slabs packed inside 143 sacks and cleverly hidden beneath heaps of sand in a tipper truck en route to Accra.
The court-supervised cobalt thiocyanate presumptive test was conducted on Wednesday, June 4, by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) in the presence of trial judge Justice Ruby Aryeetey, representatives of the NIB, the Narcotics Control Commission (NCC), as well as both state and defence attorneys. Samples were randomly taken from three slabs during the process.
The suspects in custody include 39-year-old tipper truck driver Isaac Quaicoo, his 25-year-old mate Kenneth Cobbinah, a tertiary student, and a third accused person, Mawuku Kudufia. They are currently standing trial for allegedly importing narcotics without lawful authority and engaging in a prohibited narcotic business.
Three additional suspects — Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow, and Charles Hagan are currently on the run and being pursued by security agencies. Authorities suspect the cocaine was smuggled into Ghana via maritime routes using fishing vessels.
During the hearing, the state attorney attempted to tender the full laboratory report through a GSA personnel. However, defence lawyer Victor Adawudu objected, arguing that the document could not be admitted since the Case Management Conference (CMC) had not yet been concluded.
Despite the legal debate, the confirmation of the substance as cocaine allows the NIB to proceed with its destruction, as authorized by the court. The case continues at the High Court as investigations deepen into the broader network behind the massive haul.
