{
  "id": 15868676,
  "title": "Drug traffickers acquiring own scanners to evade detection at airports – NACOC boss",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/drug-traffickers-acquiring-own-scanners-to-evade-detection-at",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T09:46:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/drug-traffickers-acquiring-own-scanners-to-evade-detection-at-airports-nacoc-boss/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, the Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), expressed concern over security lapses at Ghana's airports. In a recent testimony before Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Mantey revealed that suspected drug traffickers are using advanced methods to bypass detection, such as acquiring their own scanners. He also highlighted instances of security personnel exploiting their positions, which could provide traffickers with opportunities to evade detection. Mantey pointed out a specific incident involving a supervisory security officer who entered an airport with a bag, bypassed a screening point despite the required security checks for personnel, and then changed in a washroom. The officer then allegedly proceeded towards a flight using a bag that had previously been used by a traveler. Mantey's comments come after his minister's remarks about a security guard who bypassed screening without proper checks, emphasizing that such actions are unacceptable.",
  "summary": "The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has raised concerns about security lapses at Ghana’s airports, revealing that suspected drug traffickers are adopting sophisticated methods to evade screening procedures, including acquiring their own scanners.",
  "key_points": [
    "Drug traffickers use their own scanners to evade airport detection.",
    "Security personnel exploit positions to help traffickers bypass checks.",
    "Minister and NACOC boss condemn security lapses at Ghana airports."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The acquisition of private scanning technology by traffickers combined with internal security breaches creates a sophisticated loophole that undermines traditional airport surveillance and compromises national drug control efforts.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "NACOC raises concerns over security lapses at Ghana’s airports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/nacoc-raises-concerns-over-security-lapses-at-ghanas-airports",
        "published": "2026-10-21T11:56:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}