The Accra High Court has remanded four Ghanaian nationals in connection with the alleged exportation of nearly four tonnes of cocaine from Ghana to France in a shipment reportedly valued at about €225 million on the street. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The accused persons are Desmond Koranteng Curiel, also known as Paul Kweku Yeboah or Biggs, Musah Attah, alias Kromo, Kweku Otchere, and Jessica Hartog.
They were arraigned before the High Court in Accra on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and remanded into custody for four weeks.
The court has directed them to reappear on October 13, 2026.
A fifth individual, Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, also known as Bolle Jos, has been listed in connection with the case but is reportedly at large.
The four accused persons are facing two charges conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically the exportation of narcotic drugs without a licence issued by the Minister of Health, and the exportation of narcotic drugs.
The charges were filed on September 16, 2026, with the hearing taking place shortly afterwards.
The remand order allows investigators additional time to continue gathering evidence and examining the alleged roles of the accused persons in the shipment.
The case follows the seizure of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs authorities at the northern French port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
According to information released following the seizure, the cocaine was concealed in a container carrying plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana.
The consignment reportedly had an estimated street value of €225 million, although the final value could depend on factors such as purity, distribution level and market conditions. Editorial Standards
Reports indicate that part of the shipment was allegedly intended for Antwerp in Belgium.
The seizure has prompted investigations in both France and Ghana to establish the origin, movement and intended destination of the narcotics, as well as the individuals and networks allegedly involved in the shipment.
Following the seizure, Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) announced the arrest of three suspects in Ghana over their alleged involvement in the consignment.
NACOC said the suspects allegedly represented or facilitated the activities of Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as Bolle Jos, in Ghana. The Commission indicated that the individuals were suspected of helping to arrange or facilitate the movement of the cocaine through cargo channels.
The latest court proceedings have brought four Ghanaian accused persons before the court, while Leijdekkers remains outside custody, according to the information provided by the authorities.
NACOC has also disclosed that it has begun working with French authorities to obtain additional information about the seizure.
The cooperation is expected to help Ghanaian investigators trace the circumstances under which the container left Ghana, identify the parties involved in its shipment and determine how the narcotics were concealed within the cargo.
International cooperation is often central to investigations involving suspected transnational drug trafficking because shipments may pass through several jurisdictions and involve different companies, ports, freight operators and intermediaries.
Information from customs records, shipping documents, cargo inspections, communications and financial transactions may assist investigators in establishing the chain of events.
The case also highlights the role of customs and narcotics agencies in monitoring commercial cargo and identifying concealment methods used to transport illegal substances.
Concealing narcotics in legitimate-looking shipments, including containers carrying waste or other commercial goods, can complicate inspections and allow illicit consignments to move through international supply chains. Corrections Policy
However, the allegations against the accused persons have yet to be tested in court.
Their arrest, charging and remand do not amount to a conviction, and the prosecution will be required to present evidence to establish the charges beyond the applicable legal standard.
The court is expected to consider the matter again when the accused persons reappear on October 13, 2026.
In the meantime, investigators in Ghana and France are expected to continue their collaboration to establish the full circumstances surrounding the seizure and determine whether additional persons or entities may be connected to the alleged shipment.