Four Ghanaians arrested by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) for allegedly conspiring to export nearly four tonnes of cocaine from Ghana to France have been charged and arraigned before the High Court in Accra.
The accused persons have been identified as Desmond Koranteng Curiel, alias “Paul Kweku Yeboah” or “Biggs”; Musah Attah, alias “Kromo”; Kweku Otchere; and Jessica Hartog.
They were arraigned on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and remanded for four weeks. They are scheduled to reappear before the court on October 13, 2026.
A fifth accused person, Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, alias “Bolle Jos,” is said to be at large.
The accused persons are facing two charges: 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.
The charges were filed on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and the case was heard shortly afterwards.
Cocaine seizure in France
The arrests follow the seizure by French customs authorities of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the northern French port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
The cocaine, estimated to have a street value of €225 million, was concealed in a container carrying plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana. Part of the consignment was reportedly destined for Antwerp, Belgium.
French customs authorities intercepted the shipment after receiving intelligence reports and decided to inspect the vessel during its final stop before Antwerp. The inspection at Dunkirk was not routine.
Dutch and French investigative authorities reportedly have information indicating that part of the cocaine belonged to the criminal organisation of fugitive Dutch drug kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos.”
Fugitive suspect
Leijdekkers is a Dutch fugitive who is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone. He has appeared on the most-wanted lists of Dutch authorities and Europol.
The Rotterdam District Court sentenced him in absentia to 24 years in prison for his involvement in six cocaine shipments totalling nearly 7,000 kilogrammes, among other offences.
Europol and Dutch authorities are offering a €200,000 reward for information that could lead to his arrest.
The four Ghanaians remain in custody as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
