The Criminal Division of the High Court has ordered the destruction of over $350 million worth of cocaine seized in Ghana, following confirmatory tests by state authorities.
On Wednesday, more than three tonnes of the suspected narcotics were inspected and tested at the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) headquarters in Ridge, Accra.
The exercise was conducted under a directive issued by Justice Ruby Aryeetey in the ongoing narcotics trial involving Isaac Quarcoo, Kenneth Cobbinah, and Mawuko Kudufia.
State attorneys, defence lawyers, technical experts from the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), and the presiding judge were present as samples of the substance underwent the Cobalt Thiocyanate field test. The samples turned blue, indicating a presumptive positive result for cocaine.
Further laboratory analysis conducted by the GSA using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmed the substance as cocaine hydrochloride.
The approximately 3.3 tonnes of narcotics were intercepted in March 2025 at Pedu Junction in the Central Region. They had been concealed under heaps of sand in a tipper truck en route to Accra.
The court has scheduled the destruction of the exhibits for June 20 at Bundase in the Greater Accra Region.
Meanwhile, the NIB has launched a manhunt for three additional suspects: Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow, and Charles Hagan, who are currently at large.
Background
In March 2025, the NIB intercepted a staggering 3,319.66 kilogrammes (3.3 tonnes) of substances suspected to be cocaine, with an estimated street value of approximately $350 million.
The haul—concealed in sacks and bags hidden under sand—was discovered in a tipper truck at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast while en route to Accra.
The interception, considered one of the largest in Ghana’s history, marked a major breakthrough in the country’s fight against narcotics.
The driver of the vehicle, 39-year-old Isaac Quarcoo, and his mate, 25-year-old tertiary student Kenneth Cobbinah, were arrested along with Mawuko Kudufia.
Three other individuals—Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow, and Charles Hagan—remain on the run and are being pursued as prime suspects.
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