NACOC arrests freight forwarder in Tema over 2.6-tonne cocaine seizure in Spain

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has arrested a 43-year-old freight forwarder in connection with the seizure of approximately 2.6 tonnes of cocaine in Valencia, Spain, in August 2026.

The suspect, who operates a freight forwarding business at Community 1 in Tema, was arrested by NACOC officers at about 3 pm on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, following investigations into the shipment intercepted by Spanish authorities.

A source at NACOC told JoyNews that preliminary investigations linked the suspect to the processing of customs documentation for the shipment.

The source explained that the consignment was brought to the suspect's company by an agent who allegedly provided the information needed to prepare and process the customs documents on behalf of the exporters.

The Commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shipment and the roles played by individuals suspected of being involved in the operation.

Following his arrest, the 43-year-old freight forwarder was taken into custody and is currently being held in NACOC's cells to assist with ongoing investigations.

JoyNews sources at the Commission also disclosed that efforts were underway to identify, locate, and arrest other individuals believed to have played a role in the suspected cocaine trafficking operation.

The arrest follows the seizure of approximately 2.6 tonnes of cocaine by Spanish law enforcement agencies at the Port of Valencia in August 2026. The drugs were concealed in false compartments beneath wooden crates used to transport coconuts from Ghana.

The two shipping containers had left Tema Port on 2 August and arrived in Valencia 20 days later.

Spanish investigators uncovered the cocaine after flagging the containers for inspection. They subsequently tracked the consignment to a warehouse in Almería, where two men were arrested while the cargo was being unloaded