NACOC’s cocaine suspects’ arrest is commendable, but cannot run on “charity” to fight drug cartels

The arrest of three suspects linked to Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, known as "Bolle Jos", by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) following a $260 million cocaine seizure in Dunkirk, France, is a significant victory for Ghana. This commendable act demonstrates the agency's resolve to prevent Ghana from becoming a safe haven for drug barons. However, this arrest exposes a troubling reality: NACOC is succeeding in spite of its lack of resources, not because of them.

For over eight years, the Commission operated with only four vehicles, and it was only through personal connections that the current administration managed to acquire an additional 27 vehicles to keep its operations running. Operating a law enforcement agency that fights well-funded cartels cannot be sustainable through charity or personal connections alone. The agency requires a fully budgeted fleet of operational vehicles, surveillance equipment, and armored vehicles to effectively combat drug trafficking.

Another critical concern revolves around the port operations. The cocaine shipment in question left Ghana in a container labeled as plastic waste, which was later detected in France. This raises a series of worrying questions about the state of drug detection tools and access at Ghana's ports. At the Tema and Takoradi Ports, what advanced equipment is available for drug detection?

Do we possess ion scanners, trace detectors, and a significant canine support force? Are NACOC members granted unrestricted access to scanning rooms? The manner in which containers are loaded and the responsibilities of Inland Container Depots and private warehouses remain largely unclear.

Furthermore, there is no mention of permanent NACOC officials being stationed at these critical locations. The Commission's access to the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) for real-time profiling and flagging of high-risk shipments is also in question. Without full, real-time access to these systems, NACOC is leaving itself vulnerable and can only arrest suspects after intercepting drugs in Europe.

In light of these concerns, it is imperative for President Mahama and the Minister for Interior to view the Bolle Jos case as a wake-up call. The government must immediately retool NACOC with cutting-edge drug detection equipment at all entry points, including airports, seaports, and land borders. NACOC must be granted mandatory, unimpeded physical presence in all scanning rooms and container loading bays.

The Commission should also be given full integration and access rights to ICUMS and all port single-window systems. Lastly, a dedicated budget for fleet, forensic labs, and intelligence technology should be provided to ensure NACOC does not rely on links and personal contacts for its operations.

While the officers of NACOC have shown professionalism by arresting these three suspects in custody, their success should not overshadow the pressing need for proper tools and resources. Imagine what the Commission could achieve if it were fully equipped to carry out its mandate. It is high time Ghana's law enforcement agency was provided with the necessary tools to effectively combat the drug cartels that threaten the nation.