Ghana High Court: Cocaine Concealed in Gari Bags Sparks Debate

• Three individuals were remanded over alleged concealment of 869 cocaine slabs in gari bags at the Tema Regional Harbour.
• The accused persons, including a Dutch security guard and two clearing agents, have pleaded not guilty to charges under Ghana's Narcotic Control Act.
• Investigations are ongoing, with exhibits forwarded to the Forensic Science Laboratory for examination.

According to reports, the accused persons were arrested on August 5, 2026, after acting on intelligence from police officers stationed at the Tema Regional Criminal Investigations Department.

The recent remand of three individuals over alleged concealment of cocaine in gari bags has brought into sharp focus the provisions of Ghana's Narcotic Control Act. The Act, which aims to regulate and control the importation, exportation, and possession of narcotic drugs, has been at the center of a high-profile case involving Gilano Jorgino Holwin, Alhaji Iddrisu Haruna, and John Mensah Sarbah. According to the prosecution, the accused persons were found loading bags of gari and cassava powder into a truck at the Tema Regional Harbour when 869 slabs of suspected narcotics were discovered concealed within.

The court heard that Holwin had admitted ownership of the cocaine and claimed that Haruna and Sarbah were assisting him in exporting the drugs to London. The prosecution has since forwarded the exhibits to the Forensic Science Laboratory for examination, with investigations ongoing.

The bust at the Tema Regional Harbour has raised concerns about the ease of smuggling narcotics into Ghana through food products. The case highlights the need for stricter cargo screening procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. According to reports, the accused persons were arrested on August 5, 2026, after acting on intelligence from police officers stationed at the Tema Regional Criminal Investigations Department.

The incident has sparked debate about the role of clearing agents and transporters in facilitating the smuggling of narcotics into Ghana. The case is set to be a test for the Narcotic Control Act's provisions on prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs.

The remand of the three accused persons has significant legal implications, particularly in relation to the charges of conspiracy to commit unlawful control of narcotic drugs. The prosecution has opposed bail applications, citing ongoing investigations and the severity of the charges against the accused persons.

Lawyers advising clients on import/export activities should be aware of the risk of concealing narcotics in food products, as this case highlights. Compliance officers may want to review their company's cargo screening procedures to prevent similar incidents.

Source: Original reporting via GNA