Cocaine Scandal: NPP cautions members travelling through Ghana’s airports and seaports against alleged drug-planting attempts

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a travel advisory to its functionaries, supporters and sympathisers travelling through Ghana’s airports and seaports, warning them to remain vigilant against alleged attempts to plant cocaine and other prohibited substances in their luggage.

The advisory, issued by the party’s National Vice Chairman, Henry Nana Boakye, cautions that some individuals allegedly affiliated with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) could attempt to implicate NPP members in drug-related offences amid the ongoing cocaine controversy.

The statement urges party members to take precautions to protect their belongings throughout their travels.

Among the measures outlined, Mr Boakye advises travellers to ensure their luggage is properly secured, maintain personal control over their belongings and avoid accepting parcels or items from people whose identities and intentions they cannot verify.

He also urges members to be watchful of suspicious activities around their luggage, particularly during check-in and other airport or seaport procedures, and to document the packing of their belongings through video recordings where possible.

The advisory further asks travellers to inspect their luggage before leaving for the airport or seaport, before check-in and upon its return, to ensure that no unfamiliar items have been placed inside.

Members are also encouraged to retain their luggage tags and travel documents and report any suspicious incident or suspected interference with their belongings to the appropriate security authorities.

In its concluding caution, the party urges members to remain alert and take personal responsibility for the security of their luggage.

“Stay alert, remain vigilant, protect your belongings and travel responsibly,” the statement said.

The advisory comes amid heightened public attention surrounding a series of cocaine seizures involving consignments linked to Ghana.

The NPP has cited several drug-related interceptions in its criticism of the government’s handling of the cocaine controversy. According to figures contained in the party’s account, there were 14 major drug seizures between March 2025 and October 2026, including seven in Ghana involving approximately four tonnes of narcotics, while more than 12 tonnes linked to Ghana were intercepted abroad.

Among the incidents cited is the reported seizure of 46.7 kilogrammes of cocaine at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport on October 31, 2026, from a Syrian national who had arrived from Accra aboard a Middle East Airlines flight. Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) subsequently arrested three foreign nationals in connection with the incident.

Another case involved the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at France’s Port of Dunkirk in September 2026 from a container originating in Ghana.

A further reported interception involved approximately 2.6 tonnes of cocaine concealed in a shipment of coconuts transported in two containers from the Tema Port to Valencia, Spain. The incident, reported on November 11, resulted in two arrests.

The NPP has previously called for accountability from officials of institutions responsible for Ghana’s ports, airports and drug enforcement operations, including NACOC, the Ghana Airports Company Limited, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and the National Security apparatus.