NACOC arrests four Ghanaians over alleged €225 million cocaine shipment

Four Ghanaians have been remanded into custody after pleading not guilty to charges over an alleged cocaine shipment from Ghana to France valued at about €225 million.

The accused persons are Desmond Koranteng Curiel, also known as Paul Kweku Yeboah or “Biggs”; Musah Attah, alias “Kromo”; Kweku Otchere; and Jessica Hartog.

They appeared before the Vacation High Court in Accra on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

The four face charges of conspiracy to export narcotic drugs without a licence and the exportation of narcotic drugs. The charges were brought under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).

Justice Charity Akosua Asem, who presided over the case, denied the accused bail and remanded them into lawful custody.

They are expected to return to court on October 13, 2026, when the new legal year resumes.

The case follows the seizure of a 40-foot container at Dunkirk in France. The container had been shipped from Ghana and was declared to contain plastic waste.

French authorities reportedly discovered nearly four tonnes of cocaine hidden inside the container. The drugs are estimated to have a street value of about US$260 million.

Following the seizure, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) began investigations into the shipment. The investigation allegedly led authorities to the four accused persons.

NACOC officers arrested Curiel and Hartog at Ashale Botwe on September 12. Otchere was later arrested at his residence in East Legon, while Attah was arrested at the NACOC headquarters on September 14.

The prosecution told the court that searches conducted during the arrests led to the recovery of three guns, ammunition, four luxury vehicles, passports and various sums of money.

The prosecution has also named Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, alias “Bolle Jos”, as a fifth suspect. He remains at large.

The accused persons have denied any involvement in the alleged cocaine shipment.

Curiel reportedly denied knowledge of the shipment. Attah told investigators that he was only a friend of Curiel and had no business dealings with him.

Otchere said he had known Curiel for a long time and was working on the construction of Curiel’s apartments at Tse Addo.

Hartog, who is Curiel’s fiancée, reportedly told investigators that she was unaware of the nature and details of his businesses.

NACOC is continuing its investigations to establish how the alleged cocaine shipment was organised and to identify other persons who may have been involved.

The allegations have not yet been proven in court, and the four accused persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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