…To tackle AIA drug trafficking
The Herald has learned that the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) is stepping up security at the Accra International Airport (AIA) by deploying additional officers, trained sniffer dogs, and new narcotics-detection equipment amid mounting concerns about renewed drug trafficking at Ghana’s main international gateway.
The move includes plans to acquire new narcotics-detection scanners from the Netherlands, install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, and establish a dedicated team to monitor the cameras and submit daily reports on airport activities.
It is a collaboration among the National Security Secretariat, led by COP Abdul-Osman Razak; the Ministry of Interior, led by Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka; and NACOC, led by Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey. They are operating under the matching orders of President John Dramani Mahama following his recent emergency meeting with security chiefs.
The development follows growing concerns about the use of the airport as a conduit for narcotics trafficking and allegations that some personnel operating within the facility have been involved in facilitating the movement of drugs.
An official familiar with NACOC’s operations told The Herald that the Commission was strengthening its presence at the airport following a series of arrests and investigations involving suspected facilitators.
“We have arrested most of them; some are in court, but recently they’ve started again,” the official said.
The official said some airport personnel suspected of assisting drug couriers had already been arrested, with a number of cases currently before the courts.
The planned return of narcotics detection scanners is significant because the AIA’s scanner has reportedly been out of service since 2022.
The absence of functioning scanners has forced NACOC to rely heavily on sniffer dogs and physical searches to detect concealed narcotics.
The Minister of the Interior, previously disclosed in Parliament that NACOC was relying on sniffer dogs at the airport and other ports of entry because of the breakdown of narcotics detection scanners.
Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, said efforts to repair the existing equipment had proved unsuccessful because of serious technical problems and the unavailability of essential components.
Some of the money handed over to the previous NACOC management was allegedly spent on things other than repairing the scanners, but the current management has decided to procure new ones from Europe for the job.
The Interior Minister said a cost-benefit analysis had indicated that procuring new scanners equipped with advanced technology would be more efficient and sustainable than attempting further repairs.
The government, he said, had made budgetary provision under the security sector retooling programme for the procurement of advanced body and baggage scanners.
The scanners are expected to strengthen NACOC’s ability to detect narcotics concealed in luggage, cargo and on passengers, while also supporting the detection of other illicit items.
The new equipment being secured from the Netherlands is expected to form part of the Commission’s broader effort to modernize narcotics detection at the airport.
As part of the new security arrangements, NACOC is also expected to install CCTV cameras at strategic locations within the airport.
A dedicated team will reportedly be responsible for monitoring the cameras and producing daily reports.
The system is expected to provide an additional layer of surveillance, particularly in areas where drug couriers or their accomplices could exploit operational gaps.
NACOC is also recalling officers with experience in airport operations from other parts of the country to reinforce its airport team.
The National Security Coordinator has also released K9 sniffer dogs to NACOC to support its enforcement operations.
The Commission has been using trained dogs as an important part of its narcotics detection strategy, particularly in the absence of functioning scanners.
The increased deployment of the K9 Unit is expected to strengthen the screening of passengers, luggage, and other items entering or leaving the country.
Last year, NACOC’s K9 Unit, working with its Enforcement Unit at the then Kotoka International Airport (KIA), intensified behavioural detection operations targeting passengers displaying indicators associated with drug trafficking.
Officers used trained sniffer dogs, scanning equipment and passenger-profiling techniques as part of intelligence-led operations.
The exercise included targeted checks at strategic locations within the airport, including Aviance, a major ground-handling facility.
Although selected airlines were targeted during the exercise, passengers identified as persons of interest were subjected to further investigation, regardless of the airline or flight.
The operations resulted in the seizure of quantities of pethidine and morphine, both controlled substances under Ghana’s narcotics laws.
Despite the renewed investment in enforcement, NACOC continues to face significant logistical and infrastructure challenges across the country.
The Commission reportedly has no dedicated offices in some parts of the country, with some officers working under trees and sharing offices with Customs officials.
In some locations, officers are said to be forced to work under difficult conditions, particularly when it rains.
There are also complaints about friction between NACOC and Customs officers at some ports, with NACOC personnel allegedly being asked to leave areas where they attempt to inspect suspicious consignments or conduct investigations.
The development has raised concerns about NACOC officers’ ability to operate independently and effectively at Ghana’s ports of entry.
NACOC’s vehicle fleet has also increased from 4 to 34 as part of efforts to improve its operational capacity.
The Commission has further increased the monthly allocation for its regional offices from GH¢1,000 to GH¢3,000.
The additional funding is expected to support the operations of regional offices, although officers say the Commission still faces broader resource constraints.
NACOC is also implementing a structured career-development system modeled partly on military-style progression.
The training structure includes basic, middle-level, and senior-level training, aimed at improving professionalism, specialized skills, and leadership within the Commission.
The latest reinforcement comes amid heightened concern over the use of Ghana’s transport infrastructure for international narcotics trafficking.
The additional officers, K9 teams, scanners and surveillance systems are expected to improve passenger and baggage screening while helping NACOC identify weaknesses that traffickers may exploit.
The Commission is also expected to intensify intelligence-led operations at airports, seaports and land borders.
The renewed focus on the AIA follows a series of recent narcotics cases involving Ghana and international trafficking routes, heightening pressure on security and law-enforcement agencies to strengthen controls at the country’s ports.
NACOC has urged passengers, airport workers and other stakeholders to cooperate with its officers as it intensifies efforts to prevent Ghana from being used as a transit point for illicit drugs.
