The Kwabenya Circuit Court has refused bail to six individuals charged in connection with the alleged shipment of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine from Ghana to France. Presiding Judge Prince Osei Owusu explained that the decision was based on concerns about whether the accused would stand trial and the risk of interference with proceedings. The court ordered that the six remain in custody, citing the seriousness of the alleged offence.
The ruling followed renewed bail applications in which defence lawyers argued that their clients had cooperated with investigators, were prepared to stand trial, and faced health challenges warranting consideration. The first accused, Francis Narh Amanor, is alleged to have been the exporter named on the containers, while the second accused, Frank Adu‑Boahen, is said to be the owner of the goods. The remaining four — Togbe Agbeti, Andrews Tetteh Amponsah, Daniel Laryea, and Helena Akua Denkyi — are staff of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
The accused are alleged to have been involved in scanning containers at Tema Port. According to the prosecution, Customs officials detected anomalies in the scan images but reportedly failed to flag them for further inspection before the containers were cleared for export. Subsequently, the four containers were intercepted in France, containing approximately 3.9 tonnes of substances suspected to be cocaine.
During the latest hearing, the lawyers for the accused renewed their requests for bail, arguing that their clients had cooperated with investigators and shown a willingness to appear in court. The defence also raised health concerns, urging the court to consider releasing the accused pending their trial.
The court, however, was not persuaded to grant bail. Justice Prince Osei Owusu said his consideration included whether the accused persons would appear to stand trial and whether their release could create a risk of interference with the proceedings. He said the nature of the alleged offence warranted their continued remand.
The case has also placed the Customs scanning process at the Tema Port under scrutiny. The prosecution alleges that the four containers underwent scan-image analysis before leaving Ghana and that abnormalities were detected but not acted upon through further examination.
The accused persons face charges including conspiracy to export narcotic drugs and unlawful exportation of narcotic drugs, with the four GRA officials also facing an allegation of abetment. The case has been adjourned to October 20, 2026.
