Mahama orders investigation into alleged drug trafficking flights
President John Dramani Mahama has directed Ghana’s top investigative agencies to probe allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering linked to two suspicious flights that recently landed at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The President made the announcement in a Facebook post, responding to claims made at a press conference by Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, a Member of Parliament, who alleged that two aircraft; Air Med Flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov 12B were involved in illicit activities.
“My attention has been drawn to allegations made at a press conference by an honorable member of parliament, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, regarding two suspicious flights arriving at Kotoka International Airport, suspected to be involved in drug trafficking and money laundering,” President Mahama wrote.
He assured the public that his administration maintains a zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking and has instructed the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Police CID, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), and the National Security Coordinator to collaborate with Rev. Fordjour and investigate the matter thoroughly.
“We will maintain zero tolerance for using Ghana as a transit or final destination for drugs or drug trafficking. The NIB made a high-profile bust of drugs last week, with a street value of $350 million,” the President added.
At the press conference, Rev. Fordjour called on National Security to publicly disclose the contents of cargo transported by the two aircraft in question.
“The Minority Caucus calls on National Security to, as a matter of urgency, make public the content of cargo suspected to be cocaine and cash transported into the country by two suspicious flights,” he stated.
According to the MP, intelligence reports indicate that the Air Med Flight, which is typically used for medical emergencies, did not carry any patients on its journey to or from Accra.
“There is no evidence of medical referral or patients onboard the flight on either leg of the journey,” he stressed, raising concerns over the true nature of its operations.
Even more alarming, he noted, was that both aircraft departed to Grand Canaria, an island with a reputation for drug trafficking and money laundering.
“While it is intriguing that the two suspicious flights would depart to the same location on the same day, even more intriguing is the cargo suspiciously transported by these aircraft to and from Grand Canaria,” Rev. Fordjour emphasized.
President Mahama’s swift directive to investigative bodies signals the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Authorities are expected to work closely with Rev. Fordjour to gather intelligence, track the flights’ cargo, and identify any potential links to criminal networks.
With Ghana’s recent history of major drug busts, including the $350 million seizure referenced by the President, this latest allegation raises serious concerns about the country’s vulnerability to international drug trafficking networks.
By: Emmanuel Mensah
