Four individuals arrested in connection with the recent cocaine bust at the Swissport terminal of the Kotoka International Airport have each been granted bail set at GHC13 million with four sureties.
This decision was reached following a court hearing in Accra, where the accused persons were formally charged with attempting to export narcotic substances without a license, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of a narcotic substance without a license.
The suspects, identified as Gariba Soli, an artefact dealer from the Arts Centre, and three freight forwarders, Josiah Baidoo, Emmanuel Mintah, and Kwabena Ampfo Anti, are alleged to have attempted to smuggle 73 slabs of cocaine disguised as artefacts through the airport’s cargo terminal. According to court records, the illicit shipment was intercepted by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) during a routine inspection on April 14, 2025.
As part of their bail conditions, the accused must report to NACOC twice weekly, remain on a no-fly list, and have their biodata registered with the Passport Office to prevent them from obtaining new travel documents.
Court documents indicate that the discovery was made when NACOC officers inspected three wooden boxes labeled as containing artefacts. Upon further examination, the boxes were found to contain 73 slabs of powdered substances, which later tested positive for cocaine.
During initial questioning, Gariba Soli, the first accused, claimed he was contracted by an individual known only as Kevin to ship the boxes to the Netherlands. Soli maintained that he believed the boxes contained only artefacts and that he was unaware of their true contents until the day of the inspection.
The case has attracted significant public attention due to the volume and value of the seized narcotics, highlighting ongoing challenges in Ghana’s fight against drug trafficking and the use of the country as a transit point for international drug smuggling networks.
The trial is expected to test the country’s resolve in enforcing its narcotics laws and deterring the use of Ghana’s ports for illicit drug trade.
