$350m worth of cocaine intercepted at Pedu Junction destroyed, suspects still before court – Muntaka

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has revealed that cocaine valued at more than US$350 million, which was seized by security agencies at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast, has been destroyed following authorisation by the courts.

The destruction of the narcotics, the minister explained, was carried out in accordance with Ghana's legal procedures after investigators obtained a court order permitting the disposal of the illicit drugs while criminal proceedings against the accused continue.

Mr. Muntaka disclosed this when he appeared before Parliament's Public Assurance Committee to provide updates on the high-profile drug seizure and the status of the ongoing prosecution.

According to the Interior Minister, authorities submitted evidence to Parliament confirming that the cocaine had been destroyed.

The evidence included a court order authorising the destruction, together with video footage documenting the entire disposal process.

Mr. Muntaka said the materials were presented to members of the committee on a pen drive to demonstrate that all legal requirements had been followed.

"The pen drive that was added to the committee shows all the evidence. It shows the video of the destruction because we cannot destroy any drugs without a court order, which we secured and have provided," he stated.

He stressed that the destruction of the narcotics was conducted transparently and in compliance with the law to prevent the drugs from finding their way back into circulation.

The massive cocaine consignment was intercepted by operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in March 2025 during an operation at Pedu Junction in the Central Region.

Security officials discovered the drugs concealed inside a tipper truck transporting sand, in what investigators believe was an attempt to disguise the illegal shipment and evade detection.

Authorities estimated the street value of the seized cocaine at more than US$350 million, making it one of Ghana's most significant narcotics interceptions in recent years.

The seizure formed part of ongoing efforts by Ghana's security agencies to combat transnational drug trafficking and prevent the country from being used as a transit route for illicit narcotics.

Mr. Muntaka clarified that the destruction of the cocaine does not affect the criminal prosecution of individuals standing trial in connection with the case.

He explained that the prosecution is continuing in court, with the seized drugs having already been properly documented and preserved as evidence before their destruction.

"The substantive case is one that has been prosecuted. The last adjourned date was 30th of April, and they were to reappear on 29th of June. Unfortunately, 29th June was the day of the flood, so they are now waiting to get a new court date," the minister told Parliament.

He assured lawmakers that further updates would be provided once the judicial process reaches its conclusion.

According to the Interior Minister, three individuals have so far been charged in connection with the seizure and are currently standing trial after being granted bail by the court.

Among those arrested are the driver of the tipper truck and a domestic worker, while investigations continue to identify and apprehend other suspects believed to be linked to the trafficking operation.

Mr. Muntaka disclosed that security agencies are collaborating with international law enforcement organisations, including Interpol, to trace suspects who may have fled Ghana.

He added that authorities have also placed the names of persons of interest on immigration stop lists to prevent them from leaving or re-entering the country undetected.

The Interior Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening the country's fight against organised crime and international drug trafficking.

He noted that security agencies continue to enhance intelligence gathering, improve cooperation with international partners and intensify surveillance at Ghana's borders to disrupt narcotics networks operating within and beyond the country.

The seizure and subsequent destruction of the cocaine, he said, demonstrate the government's determination to prevent illicit drugs from entering local communities while ensuring that all actions are carried out within the framework of the law.