Dutch national, two Ghanaians arrested over suspected cocaine shipment at Tema Port
The police have arrested a Dutch national and two Ghanaians in connection with the interception of 866 parcels of a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine at the Tema Port enclave.
The consignment, which was concealed in sacks of gari, is estimated to have a street value of about US$6.9 million, according to the police.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation by the Tema Regional Police Command after officers received information that a group of individuals were loading the suspected narcotics into a 40-foot container for export.
The suspects have been identified as 31-year-old Dutch national Gilano Horwin, John Mensah Sabah, 41, and Alhaji Iddris Haruna.
Addressing journalists on Thursday, August 6, 2026, the Tema Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Eric Asamoah Asiedu, said the Command received intelligence at about 7:15 p.m. on August 5 that some individuals were loading parcels of a white substance concealed in sacks of gari at a warehouse within the Tema Port enclave.
He said a police team was immediately deployed to the location, where they found three men supervising the loading of the container, which was mounted on a white DAF truck with registration number WR 1118-10.
The suspects, along with the truck and the container, were taken to the Tema Regional Police Headquarters, where a search was conducted.
According to DCOP Asamoah Asiedu, the search led to the recovery of 866 parcels of a substance suspected to be cocaine, with an estimated value of US$6,928,000.
He said during preliminary questioning, Horwin allegedly identified the substance as cocaine and claimed ownership of the consignment.
The three suspects have been detained to assist with investigations, while the suspected narcotics have been secured for forensic examination to confirm their exact composition.
DCOP Asamoah Asiedu said investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Tema Regional Police Command also disclosed that a separate narcotics operation conducted on the same day resulted in the arrest of another suspect.
The Prampram District Police intercepted a taxi suspected to be transporting substances believed to be Indian hemp after receiving information that the vehicle was being pursued.
The police said further details on that operation would be provided as investigations continue.