Cocaine Trafficking in Ghana and West Africa: Seizures, Governance, and Security

West Africa’s Role in Global Cocaine Routes

West Africa’s Atlantic coastline has become a key corridor for cocaine trafficked from Latin America to Europe. Its geographic position, porous borders, and limited maritime surveillance capacity have made the region attractive to transnational trafficking networks. Over the past decade, West African states – particularly coastal countries such as Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana – have become major transit points. Cocaine shipments typically arrive by sea, either offloaded from larger "mother ships" onto smaller boats or landed directly at informal ports. Some consignments are also flown in via private aircraft. Part of the cargo is often left behind as payment to local facilitators, embedding the drug trade within national and local structures.

Recent years have seen a notable increase in cocaine seizures across the region, with several multi-ton busts reflecting both the scale of trafficking and improved interdiction. These include record hauls in Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Côte d’Ivoire, pointing to the resurgence of West Africa as a major trafficking hub. At the same time, institutional weaknesses – including under-resourced border controls, limited investigative capacity, and poor inter-agency coordination – continue to hamper long-term disruption of these networks.

Recent Major Seizures in Ghana
In early 2025, Ghana experienced some of its largest cocaine seizures in history. In March, authorities intercepted a truck traveling from Takoradi to Accra carrying over 3.3 tonnes of cocaine hidden under sand. The haul was reportedly worth over $350 million. Around the same period, a second truck was stopped on the Takoradi–Cape Coast highway, with an estimated 120 slabs of cocaine valued at around $150 million. Together, these busts totalled approximately 4.5 tonnes within a matter of weeks, far surpassing previous years’ seizures.

These operations were initially hailed as major successes by Ghana’s security agencies, with public announcements highlighting the size of the busts and the arrests of suspects. However, subsequent silence from the authorities has raised concern. There have been no public updates on the legal status of the suspects, the integrity of the evidence, or the fate of the seized narcotics. The lack of transparency has prompted criticism from civil society, which has warned that without accountability, public confidence in law enforcement and judicial institutions will erode.

Recent Seizures in Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire has also seen a surge in cocaine trafficking activity. In late 2024, Ivorian authorities seized over two tonnes of cocaine in the port city of San Pedro, marking one of the country's largest drug interceptions to date. The operation, conducted in coordination with international partners, targeted a warehouse used to store the narcotics before export to Europe. Additional seizures were reported in Abidjan and along the coastal corridor toward Liberia, suggesting the presence of a well-organized supply chain. These events highlight Côte d’Ivoire’s growing role in regional trafficking routes, as well as the urgent need for sustained enforcement efforts and international cooperation.

Accountability and Transparency Concerns
The absence of official follow-up has fuelled suspicion that powerful interests may be shielding those involved in the trafficking networks. Some reports suggest that individuals close to political figures may be implicated, deepening public concern. Civil society organizations have called for greater transparency, including the public release of prosecution updates, independent audits of seized narcotics, and publication of any investigative reports linked to drug smuggling through Ghana’s ports or airports.

The response to these calls has been limited. Despite public demands, key questions remain unanswered: Are the suspects still in custody? Where is the seized cocaine being stored? Has any of it gone missing? Ghana’s leaders risk damaging the country’s international standing and domestic credibility if such high-profile cases are perceived to be quietly buried.

Wider Regional Context
Ghana is not alone. Across West Africa, countries are grappling with similar challenges. Coastal routes remain central to transatlantic cocaine trafficking, with vessels frequently operating off the shores of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Côte d’Ivoire. Weak maritime oversight and widespread corruption allow traffickers to operate with relative ease. In some countries, entire ports and logistics chains have become compromised, while enforcement agencies struggle to monitor and intercept suspicious shipments.

In recent years, regional and international cooperation has improved, with joint maritime operations leading to several high-profile interceptions. However, enforcement remains uneven. The political will to pursue prosecutions and dismantle trafficking networks is often inconsistent, and judicial systems are not always equipped to handle complex transnational crime cases.

Ghana’s Structural Challenges
Ghana’s long coastline, busy ports, and growing commercial activity make it vulnerable to exploitation by drug traffickers. Border and maritime control resources remain limited. Agencies often operate in silos, with overlapping mandates and competition rather than collaboration. Legal frameworks for prosecuting organized crime have improved, but enforcement lags behind. Forensic laboratories, evidence storage facilities, and prosecutorial teams still lack the resources to manage large-scale trafficking cases effectively.

There are also signs of corruption and political interference. Reports of private aircraft landing with undeclared cargo and potential links between suspects and political elites have undermined public trust. Without a clear signal from the top that drug trafficking will be met with decisive and transparent action, Ghana risks becoming a soft target for traffickers.

Impact on Governance and Security
The growing cocaine trade poses serious risks to governance. Trafficking networks often rely on political protection, bribery, and intimidation. In the absence of strong institutions and public oversight, these networks can erode the rule of law and infiltrate state structures. Public perception that justice is selective or manipulated undermines democratic institutions and fuels cynicism.

In security terms, the drug trade is not just a law enforcement issue. It can feed into broader criminal economies, fuel money laundering, and even provide funding for violent groups. While Ghana remains relatively stable compared to some Sahelian states, its location and infrastructure make it vulnerable. Ports, highways, and airports are increasingly used as gateways for illicit flows, and without robust enforcement, this trend will deepen.