Mahama orders probe into Kotoka Airport cocaine trafficking claim

…Tells NPP’s John Ntim Fordjour to assist investigators

President John Dramani Mahama, has ordered a full-scale investigation into allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering involving two suspicious flights that recently arrived at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

The directive, follows claims made by Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Assin South Constituency in the Central Region, on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), at a press conference, where he alleged that two flights suspected of being involved in illicit activities, had landed at KIA.

“My attention has been drawn to allegations made at a press conference by an honourable member of parliament, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, regarding two suspicious flights arriving at the Kotoka International Airport, suspected to be involved in drug trafficking and money laundering,” President Mahama stated.

He emphasised that, the government treats all such allegations with the utmost seriousness and has tasked key investigative agencies to take immediate action.

“To ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, I have directed all relevant investigative agencies – including the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Police CID, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), and the National Security Coordinator – to immediately and fully collaborate with the honourable member of parliament so he provides all necessary information to investigate the allegations and take all action necessary to expose any drug dealing,” he announced.

The President, reaffirmed Ghana’s strong stance against drug trafficking, declaring that the country, would not serve as a transit or destination for illicit drugs.

“We will maintain zero tolerance for using Ghana as a transit or final destination for drugs or drug trafficking,” he stated firmly.

His remarks, follow a recent major drug bust by the NIB, where authorities intercepted narcotics with an estimated street value of $350 million.

The investigation is expected to uncover the facts surrounding the alleged suspicious flights and bring any perpetrators to justice.

The NPP Minority caucus in Parliament, had called on National Security to urgently disclose details of two aircraft suspected of transporting cocaine and cash into Ghana. 

They mentioned the flights in question as AirMed flight N823AM and Cavok Air’s Antonov An-12B, which reportedly landed at Kotoka International Airport from Gran Canaria, Spain, before departing on March 25, 2025.

According to intelligence intercepted by the Minority, AirMed flight N823AM, an air ambulance, did not transport any patient, but allegedly carried suspicious cargo suspected to contain cocaine and US dollars. 

“There is no evidence of any medical referral or patient on board. Rather, our intelligence suggests that the aircraft was used to smuggle illicit cargo,” the Minority stated.

The statement, further raised concerns about Cavok Air’s Antonov An-12B, which landed on  March 12, and remained in Ghana for thirteen days before departing on the same day as the AirMed flight. 

The Minority, described the coincidence as “intriguing” and called for a full disclosure of the cargo transported.

“In our collective quest to combat drug trafficking and money laundering, transparency must be upheld. We urge National Security to provide details of the cargo brought into and taken out of the country by these two aircraft,” the Minority demanded.

The call follows a recent interception of $350 million worth of cocaine in Cape Coast by the National Investigations Bureau, an operation the Minority praised for its transparency.

The post Mahama orders probe into Kotoka Airport cocaine trafficking claim appeared first on The Herald ghana.

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