Martin Kpebu accuses NACOC of detaining cocaine suspects to appease public

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has accused the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) of detaining suspects in a recent 3.9-tonne cocaine bust primarily to appease public anger. Speaking on the matter, Kpebu argued that the commission has failed to provide sufficient evidence linking several of the detainees to the international trafficking network involved in the seizure. He expressed concern that the ongoing detentions are a response to the high-profile nature of the case rather than a reflection of established legal grounds for keeping the individuals in custody.

Kpebu, who is representing suspect Kweku Otchere, highlighted that while the arrests were made following a major narcotics seizure by French customs, the prosecution has not yet substantiated the specific charges against many of those held. The suspects were reportedly arrested due to alleged connections with the "Bolle Jos" trafficking network. However, the legal practitioner maintains that his client and others are being caught in a dragnet designed to show progress to the public, despite a lack of concrete evidence of their direct involvement in the crime.

The lawyer further warned that such practices by NACOC could undermine the integrity of Ghana’s criminal justice system. He described the situation as a dangerous precedent where law enforcement agencies feel pressured to keep people behind bars to manage public perception in high-stakes cases. Kpebu called for greater accountability among NACOC officials, urging them to ensure that every detention is backed by verifiable facts that can stand up in a court of law.

The 3.9-tonne cocaine bust remains one of the largest drug seizures linked to the region, placing significant pressure on Ghanaian authorities to demonstrate their effectiveness in the global fight against drug trafficking. As legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on whether the prosecution will be able to provide the necessary evidence to justify the continued detention of the suspects or if the court will heed defense calls for their release.