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The seizure was based on intelligence received that a shipment of 50 containers of sugar is likely to have hidden narcotics.
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), in a joint operation with the National Investigations Bureau (BNI) and the Secretariat of the National Security Council (NSCS) has intercepted 152 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipment of sugar from Brazil.
The seizure was based on intelligence that a shipment of 50 containers of sugar bound for Ghana from Brazil is likely to contain substances suspected of being hidden narcotics.
The shipment with bill of lading number MEDUST209567 was sent from Brazil by Usina Santa Isabel S / A Fazenda Tres, a Brazilian company on behalf of SUCDEN MIDDLE EAST, based in Dubai.
The shipment consists of 27,000 bags of Brazilian white crystal sugar, with a gross weight of 1,350 metric tons. Global Cargo & Commodities Limited, Tema was the recipient of the shipment.
Acting on the basis of intelligence, NACOC, along with BNI and NSCS, mounted surveillance of the shipment until the suspected narcotic substances were recovered from the sugar shipment on Saturday, September 12, 2020.
With the help of some officials from the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division stationed at the warehouse, the physical search for the suspicious containers and bags of sugar began on Thursday, September 10, 2020.
The suspected narcotic substances were found on Saturday, September 12, 2020, found hidden among the bags of sugar in container number MSCU6874205.
Eight bags of sugar were identified with suspected narcotic substances hidden in each one. In total, 150 blocks of substances suspected of being narcotics were recovered from the shipment under the joint operation.
The exhibits were tested in the field and tested positive for cocaine. NACOC took over the tests and subsequently forwarded them to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) for analytical review and reporting.
The GSA report on the exhibits confirmed that the substances were cocaine, with an approximate net weight of the 150 slabs of 152.75 kg.
Following the seizure, several people have been arrested and assisted in the investigations.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the sugar consignment was to be delivered to Tradepass GH Limited.
