Maxwell Obuba Mantey reports drug cartels are exploiting airport security

The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has warned Parliament that transnational drug cartels are increasingly exploiting security vulnerabilities at Ghana’s airports. During a formal briefing to the legislature, the NACOC boss characterized the current security situation as a "national emergency," revealing that traffickers are now utilizing advanced technology and insider knowledge to bypass traditional security protocols and evade detection.

According to Brigadier General Mantey, drug trafficking organizations have become highly sophisticated, even acquiring their own scanning equipment to test concealment methods before attempting to move narcotics through official ports. Beyond technology, the cartels are heavily reliant on "insider access," where compromised airport employees facilitate the unhindered passage of contraband. The Director-General highlighted specific security breaches to illustrate the threat, including an instance where a security officer bypassed mandatory screening procedures to assist in moving illicit goods. These tactics allow traffickers to understand the limitations of airport security and identify the most effective windows for their operations.

In response to these findings, the government is implementing urgent measures to fortify the nation's aviation borders. The Minister for the Interior emphasized that addressing these lapses requires a multifaceted approach focused on enhancing technology and intelligence-sharing among security agencies. Planned interventions include the deployment of specialized canine teams and the introduction of more rigorous screening procedures for all airport personnel, regardless of their rank or position. These steps are intended to create a more integrated security network capable of proactively neutralizing the influence of transnational cartels within the country’s transport hubs.