Tema Police Seize Suspected $6.9 Million Cocaine, Arrest Four Suspects

Tema police intercepted 866 parcels of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine with an estimated street value of $6.9 million and arrested four persons in two separate intelligence-led anti-narcotics operations in Tema, Ghana.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Eric Asamoah Asiedu, the Tema Regional Police Commander, led a team of police officers in a 19:50 hours operation on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at a warehouse within the Tema Harbour enclave. The operation was carried out after police received intelligence that suspected narcotics concealed in sacks of gari were being loaded into a 40-foot container mounted on a white DAF truck with registration number WR 1118-10.

DCOP Asiedu explained that police officers proceeded to the location and arrested three suspects identified as Gilano Horwin, a 31-year-old Dutch national, John Mensah Sabah, 41, and Alhaji Iddris Haruna, 52, who were supervising the loading. The suspects allegedly admitted during interrogation that the consignment belonged to them and that it was cocaine. A search of the gari sacks revealed 866 wrapped parcels of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine with an estimated street value of $6,928,000.

In a separate operation earlier on the same day, police officers at Tsopoli intercepted an Opel taxi with registration number ER 564-X, carrying four sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. DCOP Asiedu said the Tsopoli Police joined an ongoing pursuit initiated by an officer from the Akuse Police Command and commercial motorcyclists from Osu Wem after a Hyundai H100 bus and the taxi fled from the Akuse area.

Photo: myjoyonline.com

The commercial motorcyclists assisted the police in blocking the taxi on the Agotor-Kpatsredor Road, leading to the arrest of the driver, Eric Tetteh. The suspect allegedly admitted transporting the suspected narcotic substance from a village near Akuse. Investigations were underway to trace the escaped Hyundai H100 bus, identify its occupants, and locate persons who allegedly removed a fifth sack from the taxi before police intercepted it.

DCOP Asiedu said the exhibits had been secured for forensic examination to determine the exact composition of the substance and assist investigations into its intended destination. All four suspects were in police custody assisting with investigations. The Tema Regional Police Command is committed to combating drug trafficking and other organised crimes, and DCOP Asiedu appealed to the public to continue providing credible information to support law enforcement efforts.

The police command’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and other organised crimes is crucial in maintaining law and order in the region. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. The investigation into the cocaine and Indian hemp is ongoing, and the police are working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.