The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has arrested three suspects for allegedly representing and facilitating the activities of Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos”, in Ghana.
In a statement signed by PNCO Francis Opoku Amoah, Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations, NACOC said the arrests followed the reported seizure by French Customs of a cocaine shipment allegedly linked to a wider international drug-trafficking network.
The Commission said the three suspects are currently in custody and assisting investigators with inquiries into their alleged roles in the trafficking operation.
NACOC said the arrests form part of its efforts to disrupt international drug-trafficking networks and prevent Ghana from becoming a base for such criminal activities.
“The arrests reaffirm NACOC’s resolve that Ghana will not be a safe haven, transit point or operational base for international drug-trafficking organisations,” the statement said.
The Commission added that it would continue collaborating with domestic and international law-enforcement agencies to dismantle the networks, financial structures and infrastructure that facilitate the illicit drug trade.
It also assured that the rights and legal protections of all persons under investigation would be respected as the investigations continue.
The arrests come days after the Minority in Parliament called for a full-scale independent parliamentary inquiry into what it described as Ghana’s growing emergence as a transit hub for narcotics under the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress government.