The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has stepped up behavioural detection and surveillance operations at Kotoka International Airport, resulting in the seizure of controlled drugs, including pethidine and morphine.
The operation, carried out by NACOC’s Canine (K9) Unit in collaboration with its Enforcement Unit stationed at the airport, is part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s fight against narcotics trafficking through its main international gateway.
The exercise targeted both inbound and outbound passengers displaying behavioural indicators commonly associated with drug trafficking. Officers deployed trained sniffer dogs, advanced scanning equipment, and profiling techniques to enhance detection while minimising disruption to airport operations.
Intelligence-led checks saw some individuals identified as persons of interest subjected to further investigations, regardless of airline or flight, demonstrating NACOC’s non-discriminatory and intelligence-driven approach to enforcement.
The operation also involved targeted searches at strategic locations within the airport, including Aviance, a key ground-handling facility, as part of broader measures to close operational gaps exploited by traffickers.
Authorities confirmed that the exercise led to the seizure of pethidine and morphine, both classified as controlled substances under Ghana’s narcotics laws.
Beyond enforcement, NACOC officers educated passengers and airport workers on substance abuse, the risks of drug trafficking, and the legal consequences of narcotics-related offences.
The increased visibility of the K9 Unit also aimed to deter potential traffickers and reassure the public of ongoing security efforts at the airport.
NACOC reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying surveillance at airports, seaports, and land borders, noting that similar intelligence-led operations will continue nationwide to disrupt transnational drug trafficking networks and protect Ghana’s international image.
