Another Cocaine Shipment Linked to Ghana: Beirut Seizure Puts Accra Airport Under Scrutiny

Lebanese authorities have seized another large cocaine consignment that passed through Accra. Customs seized 46.7 kilograms of cocaine at Beirut's airport, calling it the largest drug bust in the airport's history. The drugs were with a Syrian passenger identified as B.H., who arrived from Accra on Middle East Airlines flight MEA 576.

The operation was carried out with General Security on Saturday, 31 October. Officers found 40 packages hidden with complex packaging and insulation materials designed to evade scanning equipment. Electronic tracking devices were also found inside the packages. Investigators say the trip was planned.

The suspect entered Lebanon through the Masnaa border crossing several weeks earlier, then travelled to Accra and returned with the consignment, which suggests he was tasked with transporting it for an organised smuggling operation. Investigators are now trying to identify the person who was supposed to receive it.

Ghana's role is already under discussion. The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) confirmed the arrest and described the case as an example of Ghana and Lebanon working together through cross-border intelligence-sharing. NACOC says it is pursuing suspected accomplices in Ghana.

Security analyst Richard Kumadoe claims Ghanaian authorities deliberately let the suspect leave for Lebanon as part of a controlled delivery operation to identify other members of the network. That is his account, and I found no official statement confirming it.

The case follows earlier ones. Lebanese Customs has reported about 70 kilograms of cocaine from Ghana in coconut oil containers, in a roughly 600-kilogram air freight shipment.

Another case involved liquid cocaine hidden in whiskey bottles and coconut liquid packages on a traveller from Ghana. Repeated cases suggest traffickers see Ghana as a useful transit point.

Ghana now has to explain how 40 packages passed through Accra's screening, who is being pursued at home, and what the airport will change.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,

International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. (USIP)

[email protected]
+233555275880

References
LBCI, "Lebanese customs seize 46.7 kg of cocaine in record airport drug bust," 1 Nov 2026. lbcgroup.tv

3News, "Syrian arrested in Beirut with 46.7kg of cocaine from Accra," 1 Nov 2026. 3news.com

Graphic Online, "Syrian national shipped 46.7kg cocaine from Syria to Ghana and through Accra Airport to Lebanon." graphic.com.gh

Ghana Eye Report, "Syrian passenger arrested in Lebanon with 46.7 kg of cocaine from Ghana" (quoting NACOC). ghanaeyereport.com

Citi Newsroom, "Ghana deliberately allowed Syrian cocaine suspect to leave for Lebanon – Kumadoe," 2 Nov 2026. citinewsroom.com

L'Orient Today, "Lebanese Customs seizes 70 kg of cocaine, $1.8 million in cash at Beirut airport." today.lorientlejour.com

LBCI, "Airport customs thwart attempt to smuggle liquid cocaine with female passenger coming from Ghana," 5 Apr 2023. lbcgroup.tv

The NewsCenta, Issue 278, 2 Nov 2026, front page (see page 3)