Tuesday, 07 July

C/R: Interior Minister confirms destruction of $350m cocaine seized

Crime
Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka

The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has confirmed that cocaine valued at more than $350 million, seized at Pedu Junction in the Central Region, has been destroyed.

Appearing before Parliament's Public Assurance Committee, Mr Muntaka said the destruction was carried out after the necessary legal approval had been obtained.

He told the committee that evidence of the destruction, including video footage and the court order authorising the exercise, had been submitted on a pen drive.

The cocaine was intercepted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast in March 2025.

The drugs were concealed in a tipper truck carrying sand.

"The pen drive that was added to the committee shows all the evidence. It shows the video of the destruction because we cannot destroy any drugs without a court order, which we secured and have provided," he said.

The minister said the destruction of the narcotics would not affect the criminal proceedings against those accused in the case.

According to him, the matter was last heard on 30 April, with the accused scheduled to reappear in court on 29 June. However, the hearing could not take place because of the flooding that occurred that day, and a new court date is yet to be fixed.

Mr Muntaka said Parliament would be updated once the prosecution is concluded.

Three people are currently standing trial in connection with the seizure and have been granted bail.

The minister said the driver of the truck and a maid were among those arrested, while investigations are continuing to identify and arrest other suspects.

He added that the authorities are working with international agencies, including Interpol, to trace suspects believed to be outside Ghana, while stop lists have also been activated locally.

The cocaine was intercepted as part of ongoing efforts by the security agencies to combat drug trafficking.

Source: classfmonline.com