NACOC detains energy commission officials over meth-laced charcoal
Ghana’s anti‑narcotics agency has detained two Energy Commission officials as investigators probe a suspected attempt to smuggle methamphetamine hidden in a charcoal shipment bound for Australia.
The consignment, intercepted overseas, is believed to have been laced with the drug in what authorities suspect is part of a wider trafficking network. NACOC confirmed the detentions, saying the officials are being questioned over their role in the approval process for the export.
The Energy Commission regulates permits for charcoal exports, and investigators are examining whether procedures were compromised or exploited. Officials have not been named, and NACOC has not indicated whether charges will follow.
The case highlights how legitimate export channels can be manipulated by traffickers. By targeting regulatory approvals, investigators hope to trace the network behind the shipment and identify potential breaches in oversight.
For Ghana, the incident underscores the growing complexity of transnational drug trafficking, where everyday commodities such as charcoal can be weaponised as cover for illicit trade. NACOC says the probe is ongoing and further details will be released as the investigation progresses.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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