Police in Ghana have arrested three people, including a Dutch national, after intercepting 866 parcels of a white powdered substance suspected to be cocaine at the Tema Port enclave. The consignment, concealed in sacks of gari and allegedly being prepared for export, is estimated by police to have a street value of about US$6.9m.
The suspects have been identified as 31-year-old Dutch national Gilano Horwin, John Mensah Sabah, 41, and Alhaji Iddris Haruna. They were detained after an intelligence-led operation by the Tema police.
The interception took place on 5 August 2026, when officers received information that several young men were loading packages containing a white substance into a 40-foot container at a warehouse within the port enclave.
Tema Regional Police Commander Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Eric Asamoah Asiedu said the intelligence was received at about 19:15 local time. A police team was sent to the warehouse and found three men supervising the loading operation.
The container had been placed on a white DAF truck with registration number WR 1118-10. Police took the three suspects, along with the vehicle, to the Tema Regional Police headquarters for further questioning.
A search of the sacks of gari allegedly uncovered the 866 parcels. Police gave the estimated value of the suspected cocaine as US$6,928,000.
According to DCOP Asamoah Asiedu, one suspect identified as Owin told investigators during questioning that the substance was cocaine and claimed ownership of it.
Police have secured the seized parcels as exhibits. They will be sent for forensic examination to establish the exact nature of the substance.
The three suspects remain in custody while investigations continue, the regional commander said.
Separate narcotics operation
A second operation carried out on the same day led police in the Prampram District to intercept a taxi allegedly carrying substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
DCOP Asamoah Asiedu said officers at Tsopoli Police Station received information at about 17:00 on 5 August that the taxi was being pursued.
He disclosed details of both operations at a press briefing on Thursday, 6 August 2026. The statement about the separate interception followed the announcement of the arrests connected with the suspected cocaine consignment.
Police have not yet provided further details about the taxi operation, including the identity of the driver or the quantity of the suspected Indian hemp allegedly being transported.
