The Ministry of the Interior has defended Ghana’s involvement in the recent cocaine seizure in Lebanon, insisting that the operation was a coordinated controlled delivery exercise conducted with international law enforcement partners.

Julius Kwame Anthony, Press Secretary and Spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior, said Ghana was aware of the operation and had cooperated with Lebanese authorities in tracking the suspected drug consignment.

Speaking on JoyNews, Mr Anthony explained that controlled delivery is an established narcotics investigation strategy that allows suspected drugs to move under surveillance so authorities can identify and arrest other members of trafficking networks.

He maintained that the objective of such operations goes beyond arresting the individual transporting the drugs. It is also to identify the people behind the supply chain and dismantle the wider criminal network.

According to him, Lebanese authorities had verified Ghana’s involvement in the operation, although questions have been raised about the extent of cooperation between the two countries.

Government Says Lebanon Operation Was Coordinated

The controversy follows the arrest of a Syrian national at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on October 31, 2026, after he arrived from Accra with approximately 40 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine concealed in two suitcases.

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) subsequently described the arrest as the outcome of a coordinated controlled delivery operation involving Ghanaian and Lebanese drug enforcement authorities.

NACOC explained that the operation was intended to identify suspects at both ends of the supply chain and gather intelligence to dismantle the wider international trafficking network.

Anthony defended the strategy, arguing that international drug trafficking cannot be tackled effectively by one country acting alone.

He also cited a similar operation in 2022, during which Ghanaian authorities allowed suspects to travel through Kotoka International Airport before they were arrested in the United Kingdom as part of a wider investigation.

However, the government’s account has faced public scrutiny. A 3News analysis noted that Lebanese Customs and General Security statements did not explicitly name NACOC, although Lebanese media reported contacts between Lebanese officials and Ghanaian security and customs authorities.

The questions have increased pressure on the government to provide further clarity about the operation and the safeguards used to prevent suspected drugs from leaving Ghana.

Ghana Strengthens Narcotics Surveillance at Exit Points

Anthony also announced stronger narcotics surveillance at Ghana’s exit points following President John Dramani Mahama’s engagement with heads of the country’s security agencies.

He said the measures include increased surveillance and the deployment of K9 sniffer dogs to strengthen efforts to detect and prevent the movement of illegal drugs.

The use of trained dogs is intended to improve the screening of passengers, luggage and other items at key exit points.

The strengthened surveillance forms part of broader efforts to address concerns about Ghana being used as a transit route for international drug trafficking.

NACOC has previously confirmed the use of its Canine Unit at Kotoka International Airport, where trained dogs have supported intelligence-led searches and passenger screening.

Investigation into Ghana-Based Accomplices Continues

The Lebanon seizure has also triggered investigations into suspected accomplices in Ghana.

NACOC previously announced that it was pursuing individuals believed to be connected to the shipment and the wider trafficking network.

The Ministry’s position is that international cooperation and intelligence-led operations remain necessary to identify those responsible for organising drug shipments across borders.

As investigations continue, attention will remain on the government’s explanation of the controlled delivery operation, the arrests made in Ghana and the effectiveness of the additional security measures.

The latest announcement signals a renewed focus on strengthening surveillance at Ghana’s airports and other exit points as authorities work to prevent the country’s transport routes from being exploited by international drug trafficking networks.

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