Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission arrests alleged mastermind in 320kg methamphetamine shipment to Australia
via GhanaWeb5 min read
The Narcotics Control Commission NACOC has announced the arrest of the alleged mastermind behind the shipment of 320 kilograms of methamphetamine, concealed in charcoal, to Australia. Director-General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, disclosed this during the commission’s annual drug destruction exercise in Accra on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The operation was a joint effort involving NACOC, the Bureau of National Intelligence BNI, and other security agencies, following months of surveillance and investigations. Brigadier General Mantey stated that officers spent several months tracking the suspect. He also indicated that more arrests are expected as investigations into the drug trafficking network continue, emphasizing NACOC's determination to dismantle the operation and prevent Ghana from becoming a hub for international drug trafficking. The 320kg methamphetamine case gained international attention after Australian authorities uncovered the attempt to smuggle drugs hidden in bags of charcoal. Emaa Hussen, a 34-year-old British actress, was previously arrested and charged in Sydney, Australia, for her alleged involvement in the operation, facing charges of attempting to import a commercial quantity of methamphetamine. Australian police reported that the 320 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of nearly $300 million, were concealed in sacks of charcoal shipped from Ghana to Sydney's Port Botany. The investigation began in April 2026 a
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Kwame Yeboah, a 30-year-old British Airways First Officer, has been sentenced to eight years and four months in jail after pleading guilty to rape and sexual assault. Yeboah traveled from Reading to Wirral, Merseyside, to meet a 12-year-old girl he connected with on Instagram in late 2025. Although the girl initially claimed to be 17, the Crown Prosecution Service stated it would have been "obvious" to Yeboah that she was a very young child, as she discussed school and sent photos in school uniform. Yeboah groomed the victim, sending intimate pictures and engaging in increasingly sexual conversations, making her believe he cared for her. He later met her in person, drove her to an isolated location, and assaulted her three times. The incident was reported to Merseyside Police after a friend informed the victim's mother. Yeboah was identified using details he had given the child and answered "no comment" to all questions upon arrest. He also received a 15-year restraining order. Yeboah had been working for British Airways since 2023 and had a long history with Basketball England.
Ghana's Minister for the Interior has confirmed that Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre MASLOC, is currently serving her prison sentence and is not receiving any special treatment. This statement addresses public speculation regarding her custody status since her return to Ghana. The minister dismissed claims that Tamakloe-Attionu was being held outside the country's prison system or was benefiting from privileges. He stated that she is being held under standard prison regulations, with conditions applicable to all convicted persons, emphasizing the government's commitment to enforcing court decisions without favor. Tamakloe-Attionu was convicted in absentia by an Accra High Court in 2024 on charges including stealing, conspiracy, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state, and was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with hard labor. Her conviction followed her failure to return to Ghana after a court-approved medical trip to the United States. She was extradited to Ghana on June 9, 2026, after a lengthy process involving authorities in both countries.
A recent report by the Africa Policy Lens APL reveals that young Ghanaian voters are more focused on employment opportunities and improving their welfare than on political party affiliations. The national vote tracker report, released this week, highlights that the majority of voters aged 18 to 24 are primarily concerned with the government's ability to improve their lives. APL's findings suggest that young voters represent a politically fluid segment of the electorate, with one-fifth of Gen Z respondents showing high levels of indecision and weak partisan attachments. This demographic is seen as a crucial battleground capable of influencing future electoral outcomes, with a particular interest in economic mobility and future prospects. The APL National Voter Perception Poll, conducted from May 23-30, 2026, surveyed 6,483 eligible voters across all 16 regions of Ghana using a nationwide SMS polling platform. The survey also indicated a high intended electoral participation among older populations but low participation among young voters. The report noted that the New Patriotic Party NPP currently holds a measurable advantage in national vote intention with 48.8% support, compared to 37.6% for the National Democratic Congress NDC.