NIB on manhunt for three in cocaine bust
The announcement came after laboratory confirmation revealed that over three tonnes of a powdery substance intercepted in March near Pedu Junction, Central Region, was indeed cocaine.
Ghana’s National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has launched a nationwide manhunt for three individuals—Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow, and Charles Hagan—following their connection to what authorities describe as the country’s most significant drug seizure in 2025.
The announcement came after laboratory confirmation revealed that over three tonnes of a powdery substance intercepted in March near Pedu Junction, Central Region, was indeed cocaine. The cargo, concealed beneath sand in a tipper truck headed toward Accra, underwent preliminary testing at the NIB headquarters in Ridge, Accra, as directed by the High Court’s Criminal Division.
Initial field tests using cobalt thiocyanate reagent turned blue—a presumptive indication of cocaine. These results were later corroborated by the Ghana Standards Authority through sophisticated techniques, including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying the substance as cocaine hydrochloride.
With scientific confirmation now established, preparations are underway to incinerate the seized drugs—valued at more than $350 million—at a secure site in Bundase on June 20, 2025, in compliance with a court order.
However, during a court session on Wednesday, efforts by a State Attorney to introduce the laboratory reports through a Ghana Standards Authority technician were halted. Defense lawyer Victor Adawudu objected on procedural grounds, arguing that the Case Management Conference (CMC) had not concluded. The court, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, upheld the objection.
The case is scheduled to resume on June 24, with fresh samples taken in the presence of all parties to support the ongoing trial.
In the meantime, security agencies are intensifying efforts to track and apprehend the three newly identified suspects believed to be critical to the smuggling operation.
