'Go after financiers, not just couriers' – Catholic Bishops to NACOC after France drug bust

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference says the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France, allegedly hidden in a container of plastic waste shipped from Ghana, should push the country to take tougher action against drug trafficking.

In a statement, the Bishops described the illicit drug trade and abuse as a serious national concern and a profound moral crisis that needs urgent, coordinated action.

They said the incident highlights the need for tighter surveillance and accountability at the ports, airports and borders, and called for thorough investigations to determine how such a large consignment allegedly moved through legitimate commercial channels.

While commending the Narcotics Control Commission, NACOC, and other state agencies working to fight the drug trade, the Conference urged them to continue working with the French authorities to unravel the full trafficking network.

The Bishops also welcomed the decision by President John Dramani Mahama to set up an inter-agency task force to deal with the movement of narcotic drugs through the country’s entry points.

According to the Conference, the seizure in Dunkirk should not be seen in isolation. It said it forms part of a broader national problem, pointing to other narcotics interceptions linked to Ghana in recent years.

The Bishops raised concern about the alleged involvement of persons in positions of trust, including public officials and, regrettably, members of the Church.

“The fight must include anyone who abuses public trust to facilitate the movement of illicit substances,” the statement said.

They want investigators to go beyond arresting couriers and focus on those who finance and control the trade.

“A pattern in which couriers are prosecuted while the networks that finance them escape scrutiny is the failure any credible national response must overcome,” the Conference said.