None of the people arrested can afford teaspoon of cocaine; go after financiers – Kwesi Botchway tells gov’t

Kwesi Botchway, Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has criticized authorities for prioritizing the arrest of individuals allegedly involved in transporting cocaine without targeting the financiers behind the operations. Speaking to Adom FM's Dwaso Nsem, Botchway stated that while the recent arrests are commendable, more attention should be given to identifying and apprehending those who finance and organize the drug trade.

Botchway pointed out that some of those currently facing trial may not have the financial capacity to own or control the large quantities of cocaine involved, such as a taxi driver or courier. He questioned the purpose of arresting these individuals if the people sending them to carry out the operations remain unpunished. He emphasized that while arresting couriers is a positive step, it is crucial for investigations to extend beyond them to uncover the financiers and coordinators of the drug trade.

The politician welcomed the arrests made so far but insisted that further action is necessary to dismantle the networks behind the trafficking activities. He likened the current situation to efforts against illegal mining, arguing that arresting someone involved in illegal mining without pursuing those funding the activity would not effectively address the problem.

Botchway stated, "It is just like arresting someone using a changfan for illegal mining. What happens to the financiers? If you do not go after the people funding these activities, the problem will persist."

His remarks come amid increased public scrutiny of Ghana's efforts to combat drug trafficking following recent cocaine seizures and arrests.