The Tema Regional Police Command has intercepted 866 parcels of substances suspected to be cocaine concealed in sacks of gari allegedly prepared for export, with a reported street value of $6.9 million.
The seizure was made on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, following intelligence received by the Command that some individuals were loading parcels of a white substance concealed in gari sacks into a 40-foot container at a warehouse within the Tema Harbour enclave.
Police officers who responded to the intelligence operation found three persons allegedly supervising the loading process.
They were identified as 31-year-old Dutch national Gilano Horwin, John Mensah Sabah, 41, and Alhaji Iddris Haruna, 52.
According to the Police, the sacks of gari were being loaded into a container mounted on a white DAF truck with registration number WR 1118-10.
The suspects, together with the truck, were escorted to the Tema Regional Police Headquarters, where a search of the sacks led to the discovery of 866 parcels of a white powdered substance suspected to be cocaine.
The Police said the substance has an estimated street value of $6,928,000.
During interrogation, Gilano Horwin allegedly admitted that the substance was cocaine and claimed ownership of the consignment.
The three suspects have since been detained to assist with investigations, while the recovered exhibits have been secured for forensic examination to determine the exact nature of the substance and circumstances surrounding its intended export.
Police Intercept Indian Hemp Shipment at Tsopoli
In a separate operation, the Prampram District Police intercepted a taxi cab allegedly transporting substances suspected to be Indian hemp at Tsopoli.
The incident occurred on the same day at about 5:00 pm after the Tsopoli Police received information that a taxi cab loaded with suspected Indian hemp was being pursued.
Police said officers moved to the area and joined an operation initiated by an officer from Akuse Police, with assistance from commercial motor riders from Osu Wem.
The vehicles involved in the pursuit were a Hyundai H100 bus and an Opel taxi cab with registration number ER 564-X, both allegedly carrying sacks containing suspected Indian hemp.
The Hyundai H100 bus escaped, but the Opel taxi cab diverted onto the Agotor–Kpatsredor Road towards Tsopoli, where it was eventually intercepted.
The driver, identified as Eric Tetteh, was arrested.
A search of the vehicle uncovered four sacks containing dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
Police said the suspect allegedly admitted transporting the suspected narcotic from a village near Akuse.
The Command is currently working to identify and arrest persons who allegedly took away a fifth sack during the incident, while efforts are also underway to trace the escaped Hyundai H100 bus and its occupants.
The Tema Regional Police Command has assured the public that investigations into both cases are ongoing and reaffirmed its commitment to disrupting the trafficking, transportation and unlawful possession of narcotic substances in the region.
