Spanish authorities seize 2.6 tonnes of cocaine in coconuts from Ghana

Spanish authorities have seized 2,600 kilograms of cocaine hidden within a consignment of coconuts that originated from the Tema Port in Ghana. The operation, conducted on November 11, 2026, involved tracking the shipment from the Port of Valencia to a warehouse in Almería. Two individuals were apprehended during the unloading process, as Spanish police dismantled what appears to be a sophisticated smuggling route utilizing legitimate agricultural exports for narcotics trafficking.

The interception has triggered a swift response from the Ghanaian government, with President John Dramani Mahama initiating a comprehensive review of narcotics detection systems at the nation's ports and borders. The presidency aims to address vulnerabilities in current inspection protocols that allowed the large-scale shipment to exit the country undetected. This review will focus on the operational efficiency of scanning equipment and the security procedures managed by port authorities and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).

This latest development adds to growing concerns over Ghana’s status as a transit point for international drug cartels, following a 3.9-tonne cocaine seizure in France just two months earlier in September 2026. The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called for an independent investigation into the matter, urging greater accountability from security agencies and port officials. There are fears that the repeated exploitation of the coconut export trade by traffickers could damage the international reputation of Ghana's legitimate agricultural commercial sectors.

Investigations are currently underway to determine the full extent of the trafficking network and whether any local personnel at Tema Port facilitated the shipment. Security analysts suggest that the scale of the seizure necessitates a complete overhaul of cargo handling and verification processes to prevent further breaches. The outcome of the presidential review is expected to define new security benchmarks for Ghana’s maritime trade as the country seeks to restore confidence in its port security infrastructure.