Experts question NACOC claim of controlled delivery in Beirut bust

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) is facing intense scrutiny following the seizure of 46.7 kilograms of cocaine at Beirut Airport on October 31, 2026. While NACOC has defended the incident as a "controlled delivery" intended to track international trafficking syndicates, legal and international relations experts have raised concerns over significant procedural inconsistencies. The commission reported that three foreign nationals were arrested in connection with the shipment, which originated from Accra, yet critics argue that a lack of coordination with Lebanese authorities undermines the official narrative.

Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI Africa, highlighted during a JoyNews broadcast that Lebanese officials appeared to have engaged with Ghana only after the suspect was arrested, rather than as part of a prearranged operation. He noted that Lebanon’s Central Narcotics Bureau, which is legally mandated to supervise such deliveries, was notably absent from the initial operation. This suggests the interception may have been a routine customs bust rather than a strategic law enforcement exercise. Furthermore, Kwasi Kwarteng of the NPP Communications Team pointed to a six-kilogram discrepancy in the recorded weight of the drugs, noting that Ghanaian authorities initially reported 40kg while Lebanese records showed 46.7kg.

Alexander Barimah Twum, the Deputy Director of NACOC, has stood by the operation, explaining that controlled deliveries are vital for identifying the orchestrators behind trafficking networks by allowing couriers to remain unaware of surveillance. However, Dr. Nana Yaw Mireku, an expert in international relations, warned that such high-profile incidents threaten Ghana’s global reputation and diplomatic standing. He urged the government to strengthen enforcement measures to prevent the country from being perceived as a hub for international drug trafficking.

In response to the growing public debate, legal expert Kwame Owusu Danso has called for national unity, insisting that the integrity of Ghana’s anti-narcotics efforts must transcend political affiliations. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on whether the commission followed established international protocols for cross-border drug monitoring. The incident is expected to be a major focus of national policy discussions as experts call for greater transparency in border security and international law enforcement cooperation.