Another Cocaine Shipment Linked to Ghana Is Intercepted in Spain ‎

Spain has become the latest country to intercept a large cocaine consignment that left Ghana. Spanish authorities seized 2,600 kilograms of cocaine hidden in two shipping containers from Ghana at the port of Valencia. Spain's Tax Agency and Civil Guard announced the seizure in a press release on 11 November 2026.

How the drugs were found
The cargo was declared as coconuts, but a joint Guardia Civil and customs team classified it as high-risk during routine trade controls. The drugs were hidden beneath false bottoms in wooden boxes of coconuts, with a full layer of packages under each false bottom. The containers were loaded at Tema on 2 August 2026 and reached Valencia on 22 August.

Investigators reportedly removed the cocaine, resealed the shipment and kept monitoring it to identify who would collect it. Two people were arrested in Viator, in the province of Almería: the importer and the person responsible for unloading.

What is, and is not, established
Loading at Tema makes Ghana the departure point, but not necessarily the source. Spain's announcement does not establish where the cocaine originated or whether it was loaded into the containers in Ghana.

Intelligence cited in Ghanaian reporting indicates that much of the cocaine originates in South America and is routed through Ghana, concealed in legitimate exports.

On the Ghanaian side, security expert Richard Kumadoe said on 12 November that people had been arrested in Ghana and were standing trial over the shipment, and that he expected NACOC to issue an official statement. Another report says NACOC has announced arrests of suspects in Ghana, with more possible.

A growing pattern
This is far from an isolated case:
In September 2026, French customs seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a plastic-waste container from Ghana at Dunkirk. The investigation there found abnormalities in pre-shipment container scan images at Tema.

In November and December 2025, Belgian authorities seized 2,829 kg and 1,158 kg of cocaine from Tema shipments at Antwerp.

Belgian customs figures put Ghana fifth among countries of origin for cocaine seized at Antwerp in 2025, the only African country in the top five.

A tally counted 28 narcotics cases linked to Ghana since January 2025, 11 of them involving cocaine.

On 31 October, a Syrian national was arrested in Beirut after arriving from Accra with about 40 kg of suspected cocaine.

The political reaction
Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh of CDD-Ghana urged President Mahama to act immediately. The NPP has demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Muntaka over the seizures.

The central question is how multi-tonne consignments pass through Ghana's export checks. The spotlight falls on NACOC, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and the Customs Division.

What should happen next
A public account from NACOC on arrests, charges and the identity of the exporter or shipping agent.

An independent review of Tema's scanning and container-risk systems.

Closer intelligence-sharing with Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands to trace the full network.

A clear public report on prosecutions, so Ghana can show it is not merely a transit point.

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

International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. (USIP)

[email protected]
+233555275880

References
The Ghanaian Chronicle, "Another cocaine allegedly emanating from Ghana intercepted in Spain": https://thechronicle.com.gh/another-cocaine-allegedly-emanating-from-ghana-intercepted-in-spain/

Hot Digital, "2,600kg of cocaine seized at Valencia port in Ghana coconut shipment": https://www.hotdigitalonline.com/hot-digital-news/2600kg-of-cocaine-seized-at-valencia-port-in-ghana-coconut-shipment/

GhanaWeb, "'Wake up!' – Prof Prempeh descends on Mahama over another 2.6 tonnes of cocaine scandal": https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Wake-up-Prof-Prempeh-descends-on-Mahama-over-another-2-6-tonnes-of-cocaine-scandal-2060929

GhanaWeb, "Bust in August, Suspect Standing Trail: Security expert shares detail on Spain cocaine shipment": https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Bust-in-August-Suspect-Standing-Trail-Security-expert-shares-detail-on-Spain-cocaine-shipment-2060994

Adom Online, "Spain intercepts 2.6 tonnes of cocaine shipment from Tema Port": https://www.adomonline.com/spain-intercepts-2-6-tonnes-of-cocaine-shipment-from-tema-port/

GBC Ghana, "Spain intercepts 2.6 tonnes of cocaine hidden in coconut shipment from Ghana": https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general/spain-intercepts-2-6-tonnes-of-cocaine-hidden-in-coconut-shipment-from-ghana/2026/

The Herald Ghana, "Spain seizes 2.6 tonnes of cocaine shipped through Tema Port": https://theheraldghana.com/spain-seizes-2-6-tonnes-of-cocaine-shipped-through-tema-port/

Ghana Standard, "Ghana-Linked Drug Seizures Reach 15.8 Tonnes As International Interceptions Mount": https://ghstandard.com/general-news-in-ghana/security-news-in-ghana/ghana-linked-drug-seizures-reach-15-8-tonnes-as-international-interceptions-mount/