A South Korean man in his 80s, suspected of involvement in a major international cocaine trafficking operation, has been deported from Ghana and returned to South Korea after spending approximately 22 years on the run, according to South Korean law enforcement authorities.
The man, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was brought back to South Korea on October 20, 2026, in a coordinated operation involving the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) and the Busan Coast Guard.
He had reportedly been living in Ghana since around 2004, following the arrest and prosecution of alleged accomplices connected to the drug trafficking operation. Corrections Policy
South Korean authorities allege that the suspect transported cocaine on five separate occasions between 2002 and 2004 while serving as a supervisor aboard a deep-sea fishing vessel operating in international waters off South America.
The shipments are believed to have involved a total of 5,385 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated value of approximately 4.8 trillion South Korean won, equivalent to about US$3.6 billion.
The alleged operations were carried out on behalf of a drug trafficking organisation. Investigators say the suspect received payment for transporting the narcotics, although the full details of the alleged transactions remain under investigation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the suspect fled to Ghana after his alleged associates were arrested. He is believed to have remained in the country for more than two decades without valid residency status.
His eventual return to South Korea followed a sustained effort by authorities to establish his whereabouts and secure his repatriation.
The Busan Coast Guard had placed the suspect on Interpol’s wanted list as part of efforts to locate him.
The Korean National Police Agency later confirmed his presence in Ghana through information-sharing arrangements and cooperation with the Ghana Police Service.
South Korean authorities said the collaboration enabled investigators to establish the suspect’s location and coordinate the next steps with Ghanaian law-enforcement agencies.
Ghanaian police subsequently arrested the man over his immigration status, with assistance from the South Korean Embassy in Ghana. He was then deported to South Korea, where the Busan Coast Guard took custody of him.
The case highlights the role of international cooperation in tracking suspects accused of serious crimes across national borders.
Law-enforcement agencies often rely on information-sharing arrangements, international notices and diplomatic coordination when individuals sought in one country are believed to be residing in another.
The alleged trafficking operation dates back to the early 2000s, when the suspect was reportedly working aboard a fishing vessel in South American waters.
Investigators believe the vessel was used to transport narcotics for a criminal organisation, but the precise routes, logistics and wider network involved are still being examined.
South Korean investigators are expected to focus on the circumstances surrounding the alleged shipments, the payments the suspect is believed to have received and his connections to the trafficking organisation. Editorial Ethics & Independence
Authorities are also seeking to establish whether other individuals were involved in the operation and whether the suspect’s alleged role extended beyond transporting the narcotics.
The case is significant because of the quantity of cocaine involved and the lengthy period the suspect is alleged to have evaded authorities.
However, the estimated value of the drugs and the allegations against him have been reported by South Korean law-enforcement agencies and have not been presented here as findings of a completed trial.
The suspect’s return to South Korea marks the beginning of further investigative and legal proceedings. His guilt or innocence will be determined through the applicable judicial process.
South Korean police and coast guard officials have reiterated their commitment to pursuing suspects accused of serious maritime crimes, including those who flee overseas.
The agencies say international cooperation will remain important in preventing suspects from avoiding investigation by relocating across borders.
The deportation also underscores Ghana’s role in cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies on matters involving immigration and international criminal investigations. Editorial Standards
Authorities in both countries worked together to confirm the suspect’s whereabouts and facilitate his return.
For now, investigators in South Korea are concentrating on reconstructing the alleged drug shipments and determining the suspect’s precise involvement.
The outcome of those inquiries will be important in establishing the facts behind a case that spans more than two decades and several international jurisdictions.