Four Ghanaian nationals allegedly implicated in the exportation of nearly four tonnes of cocaine from Ghana to France have been arraigned before the High Court in Accra.
The accused persons, Desmond Koranteng Curiel, alias “Paul Kweku Yeboah” or “Biggs”; Musah Attah, alias “Kromo”; Kweku Otchere; and Jessica Hartog, appeared before the court on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
They have been charged with two offences: conspiracy to commit a crime, namely the exportation of narcotic drugs without a licence issued by the Minister of Health, and the exportation of narcotic drugs.
Following their arraignment, the four accused persons were remanded into custody for four weeks and are expected to reappear before the court on October 13, 2026.
The case emanates from a major seizure by French customs authorities at the northern French port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
French authorities reportedly intercepted approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine concealed inside a container carrying plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana.
The narcotics are estimated to have a street value of about €225 million.
Part of the consignment was reportedly destined for Antwerp, Belgium, adding an international dimension to the alleged narcotics operation.
Following the seizure, Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) announced the arrest of three suspects in Ghana over their alleged connection to the shipment.
The Commission subsequently commenced efforts to establish how the consignment allegedly left Ghana and made its way to France.
NACOC has been collaborating with French authorities to obtain further information and intelligence on the intercepted shipment as Ghanaian investigators work to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged exportation.
According to NACOC, the suspects were allegedly involved in representing and facilitating the activities of Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos”, in Ghana.
Jos Leijdekkers, a Dutch national also known as “Bolle Jos”, has been named as the fifth accused person in the case.
He is, however, currently at large.
Investigators are expected to pursue further leads concerning the alleged network behind the shipment and establish the respective roles of the individuals accused in the case.
The arraignment of the four Ghanaian nationals marks a fresh development in the unfolding investigation, which has attracted attention following the sizeable cocaine seizure in France.
The allegations against the accused persons are yet to be tested at trial. They remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.