NPP warns members against alleged attempts to plant drugs in their travellers’ luggage

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has cautioned its members, supporters and sympathisers travelling through Ghana’s airports and seaports to be extra careful, following concerns about possible attempts to implicate innocent travellers in drug-related offences.

In a travel advisory issued by the party’s National Vice Chairman, Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, the NPP alleged that persons linked to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) could attempt to plant prohibited substances, including cocaine, in the luggage of its members for political purposes.

The party attributed the alleged threat to what it described as the government’s growing desperation over public criticism of its handling of narcotics-related cases. It warned that some individuals affiliated with the NDC might seek to implicate NPP supporters in drug offences in an attempt to create a political balance.

“Amid growing public scrutiny of the government’s shambolic and disgraceful handling of narcotics-related matters, the NDC and John Mahama regime has become very desperate, and elements affiliated to the NDC may go to any lengths to rope in innocent members and sympathisers of the NPP just to equalise for their horrible record in the control of cocaine and other narcotics in our country,” the advisory stated.

The warning comes against the backdrop of several major drug interceptions abroad involving consignments reportedly originating from Ghana, which have triggered questions about the country's cargo screening and export procedures.

In the latest incident, Spanish authorities on Wednesday, November 11, seized 2.6 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a shipment of coconuts from Ghana. Two men were subsequently arrested after investigators traced the consignment from the port of Valencia to a warehouse in Almería.

Following the incident, the NPP urged its members travelling through the country's international entry and exit points to take steps to secure their luggage and avoid circumstances that could expose them to allegations of drug trafficking.

“NPP members, supporters and sympathisers, travelling through Ghana’s airports and seaports are strongly advised to exercise heightened vigilance and take extra precautions to safeguard themselves against any potential attempts to implicate innocent NPP travellers in narcotics-related offences just for political equalisation,” the statement said.

The party recommended that travellers lock and securely wrap their bags, keep their belongings under personal supervision and decline requests to carry parcels or other items for people they do not know, particularly where the items are intended for delivery to third parties.

It also encouraged members to pay close attention to anyone handling their luggage and, where practicable, record videos showing their bags and the process of packing their belongings.

Travellers were further advised to check their luggage and its contents before leaving for the airport, before presenting their bags for check-in and each time the luggage was returned to their possession.

The NPP also urged its members to keep their luggage tags and relevant travel documents, document any suspicious occurrences and immediately report concerns to airport security personnel or the appropriate authorities.

“Stay alert, remain vigilant, protect your belongings and travel responsibly,” the advisory urged.

However, the party did not provide evidence in the advisory to substantiate its allegation that individuals linked to the NDC might attempt to plant narcotics in the luggage of NPP travellers.

Read below the statement by the NPP:
COCAINE SCANDAL: TRAVEL ADVISORY TO NPP FUNCTIONARIES AND SUPPORTERS TRAVELLING THROUGH GHANA’S AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS . STAY HIGHLY VIGILANT

Amid growing public scrutiny of the government’s shambolic and disgraceful handling of narcotics-related matters, the NDC and John Mahama regime has become very desperate and elements affiliated to the NDC may go any length to rope in innocent members and sympathizers of the NPP just to equalize for their horrible record in the control of cocaine and other narcotics in our country.

NPP Travellers should remain alert to the possibility of unlawful interference with their luggage or attempts by unscrupulous individuals to introduce prohibited substances like cocaine and other illicit drugs into their personal belongings.

In view of recent cocaine-related arrests and drug trafficking incidents involving Ghanaian nationals in foreign jurisdictions under President Mahama and the NDC, all NPP members, supporters and sympathizers, traveling through Ghana’s airports and seaports are strongly advised to exercise heightened vigilance and take extra precautions to safeguard themselves against any potential attempts to implicate innocent NPP travellers in narcotics-related offences just for political equalisation.

To protect yourselves, all prospective travellers are urged to observe the following precautionary measures:

1. Securely Lock, Protect and wrap Your Luggage to avoid any unwholesome interference

2. Maintain Personal Control Over Your Belongings

3. Do not accept unverified Items or parcels , if possible completely avoid accepting parcels to be given to a third party

4. Remain observant of unusual handling, interference or suspicious access to your luggage. If possible video record your luggage and how belongings are packed in the luggages.

5. Preserve any relevant evidence and immediately report suspicious incidents to airport security or the appropriate authorities.

6. Personally Verify Your Luggage Before Check-in and Boarding

7. Inspect your bags and their contents before leaving for the airport, again before handing them over at check-in, and whenever they are returned to your custody.

8. Ensure that no unfamiliar items have been introduced into your belongings and retain your luggage tags and other relevant travel documentation.

FINAL WORD OF CAUTION Stay alert, remain vigilant, protect your belongings and travel responsibly.

SIGNED HENRY NANA BOAKYE (NANA B), ESQ NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN, NPP