NIB Declares 3 Wanted in $350M Cocaine Bust

The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has officially declared three individuals—Kelian Julien Mensah, Jefflean Kwadjo Ntow, and Charles Hagan—wanted in connection with Ghana’s largest drug seizure of the year.

The announcement comes after more than three tonnes of suspected cocaine were tested at the NIB headquarters in Ridge, Accra, under a court order issued by the Criminal Division of the High Court, overseen by Justice Ruby Aryeetey.

The massive drug shipment was intercepted in March at Pedu Junction in the Central Region, cleverly concealed beneath sand in a tipper truck heading to Accra.

Field tests using Cobalt Thiocyanate reagent indicated a positive result for cocaine, turning blue on contact. Further laboratory analysis by the Ghana Standards Authority, employing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), confirmed the substance as cocaine hydrochloride.

With the confirmation complete, the NIB is now authorized to proceed with the destruction of the narcotics, as directed by the court.

During Wednesday’s court session, the State Attorney’s attempt to submit the lab results through a GSA technician was blocked following an objection by lead defense lawyer Victor Adawudu. He argued that the Case Management Conference had not yet concluded, making the evidence submission premature—a point the court agreed with.

The confiscated drugs, valued at over $350 million, are scheduled for destruction on June 20, 2025, at Bundase in the Greater Accra Region.

The trial has been postponed to June 24, during which additional samples will be collected in the presence of all parties.

Meanwhile, the NIB has intensified efforts in a manhunt to apprehend the three newly identified suspects linked to the massive cocaine bust.