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 process was carried out under a court 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 were subjected to the Cobalt Thiocyanate field test.
The samples turned blue, indicating a presumptive positive result for cocaine.
Subsequent laboratory analysis by the GSA using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmed the substance as cocaine hydrochloride.
The narcotics—approximately 3.3 tonnes—were intercepted in March this year at Pedu Junction in the Central Region. They had been hidden under sand in a tipper truck heading 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 remain at large.
Background
In March this year, the NIB intercepted a staggering 3,319.66 kilogrammes (3.3 tonnes) of substances suspected to be cocaine, with a street value of approximately $350 million.
The massive haul was concealed in sacks and bags cleverly hidden in heaps of sand in a tipper truck to evade detection.
However, the vigilant NIB operatives were able to uncover the illicit cargo, marking a significant milestone in the country's fight against narcotics
The tipper truck was arrested at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast in the Central Region en route to Accra.
The interception of the over 3,300kg of cocaine is a significant achievement, marking about the largest cocaine seizures in the country’s history.
The driver of the tipper truck, 39-year-old Isaac Quaicoo, and his mate, Kenneth Cobbinah, a 25-year-old tertiary level student were arrested for investigation.
Also in the dock with them is Mawuku Kudufia.
Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow and Charles Hagan, who the state consider as prime suspects are still on the run.
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