By The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has taken action by interdicting all staff allegedly involved in the recent cocaine smuggling incident at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
According to The Herald Newspaper, the scandal unfolded after a significant quantity of illegal drugs was seized at Brussels Airport in Belgium. Reports suggested that the cocaine had been smuggled through KIA aboard the Moroccan national carrier, Royal Air Maroc, facilitated by a GACL staff member on March 23, 2024.
A Dutch national named Proeger Delgey Bianca was arrested at Brussels Airport with eight and a half (8.5) kilograms of suspected cocaine, allegedly transported through KIA on the mentioned date.
In response, GACL issued a statement dated April 10, confirming the initiation of investigations and announcing the interdiction of the staff implicated in the incident.
GACL management reiterated its warning to staff regarding assisting passengers at the airport, emphasizing that “failure to comply would result in punitive measures, including summary dismissals and potential prosecutions by the State, following existing protocols”.
Furthermore, management assured the general public of its commitment to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure that airport operations remain safe and secure.
Below is the full statement
The attention of the Board and Management of GACL has been drawn to the Herald publication dated Wednesday, April 10, 2024, with the above headline.
Management notes that investigations by relevant authorities into the alleged smuggling of 8.5 kilograms of substance suspected to be cocaine through Kotoka International Airport on March 23, 2024, are ongoing.
The Board and Management, in line with GACL’s internal administrative processes, has taken swift measures to interdict all GACL staff relevant to the investigation.
Management has also reiterated its warning to staff regarding the facilitation of passengers at the airport, failing which punitive measures not limited to but including summary dismissals and prosecutions by the State will be
effected in line with existing protocols.
Management wishes to assure the general public of its commitment and determination, in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that operations at the airport are safe and secure.
