NIB Declares Three Wanted Over Ghana’s Largest Drug Bust as Court Confirms Cocaine Evidence
ACCRA, June 5, 2025 — Ghana’s National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has intensified its crackdown on narcotics trafficking by declaring three additional individuals wanted in connection with the country’s largest drug seizure this year.
The wanted persons — Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow, and Charles Hagan — are being sought for their alleged involvement in the March 2025 drug bust at Pedu Junction in the Central Region, where over three tonnes of cocaine were intercepted.
Confirmed Cocaine Shipment Worth $350 Million
The seizure involved a tipper truck transporting the narcotics concealed under sand and headed towards Accra. Field tests using Cobalt Thiocyanate reagent returned positive for cocaine, and confirmatory testing by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) using HPLC and GC-MS confirmed the substance as cocaine hydrochloride.
The Criminal Division of the High Court, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, had previously ordered the forensic testing of the substance at the NIB Headquarters in Ridge, Accra. Following this confirmation, the court has ordered that the remaining exhibits — valued at over $350 million — be destroyed at Bundase in the Greater Accra Region on June 20, 2025.
Courtroom Drama and Legal Objections
At Wednesday’s proceedings, an attempt by the State Attorney to submit the GSA’s laboratory results through a technician was met with strong resistance from the defense.
Lead counsel Victor Adawudu objected, arguing the Case Management Conference (CMC) had not yet been concluded, making the tendering of such evidence premature. The court agreed and upheld the objection.
The trial has been adjourned to June 24, with additional samples collected in the presence of all parties for evidentiary purposes.
Ongoing Manhunt
The NIB says it is actively pursuing the newly named suspects, believed to have played key roles in the logistics and concealment of the illicit cargo. The public has been urged to assist law enforcement with any information that could lead to their arrest.
This major bust and the subsequent developments mark a significant step in Ghana’s fight against transnational narcotics trafficking, with authorities pledging to bring all involved to justice.
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