Abnormalities were reportedly detected in the scan images of four containers before they left Ghana’s Tema Port and were later intercepted in France with about 3.9 tonnes of substances suspected to be narcotics, according to allegations contained in a Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) charge sheet.
The development has placed the customs scanning process at the centre of an ongoing investigation involving six people who have been accused in connection with the shipment.
The six accused are Francis Narh Amanor, Frank Adu-Boahen, Togbe Agbeti, Andrews Tetteh Amponsah, Daniel Laryea and Helena Akua Denkyi. They appeared before the Kwabenya Circuit Court in Accra on September 17, 2026, where they were remanded in custody. The case has been adjourned to September 24.
According to the charge sheet, the four containers underwent scanning before leaving the Tema Port on August 19, 2026. The BNI alleges that the resulting images were assessed as abnormal because they reportedly did not correspond with the contents declared for the containers.
Despite the alleged abnormalities, the containers were reportedly cleared and allowed to leave the port. French authorities subsequently intercepted the shipment and found approximately 3.9 tonnes of substances suspected to be narcotic drugs.
The prosecution has raised questions about why the scan results did not lead to further examination of the containers before they were released.
One of the accused, Frank Adu-Boahen, is alleged to have provided his login credentials to other individuals to enable them to conduct scan-image analysis on his behalf, although the prosecution says he was expected to perform the analysis himself.
Four of the accused are linked to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and face allegations relating to the handling of the scanning process. They are Togbe Agbeti, Andrews Tetteh Amponsah, Daniel Laryea and Helena Akua Denkyi.
The prosecution alleges that the four officials failed to properly analyse or act on the abnormal scan images, thereby facilitating the alleged exportation of the suspected narcotics.
Francis Narh Amanor, described as a freight forwarder and Managing Director of Fresna Commodities Ltd, is also among those accused. Investigators reportedly traced the shipment through Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) to Fresna Commodities Ltd.
The BNI alleges that Amanor told investigators that he handled the shipment and that the containers had been declared as carrying ordinary commercial goods. Investigators further allege that the containers were loaded at a warehouse in Tema.
Adu-Boahen was reportedly arrested on September 16, while Amanor was arrested a day earlier as investigations into the shipment intensified.
The six accused persons face charges including conspiracy to export narcotic drugs and alleged exportation of narcotic drugs without the required licence. The four GRA-linked accused also face allegations of abetting the exportation of narcotic drugs.
The court denied bail to the six accused and remanded them in custody as investigations continue.
Authorities are expected to establish how the containers passed through the scanning and clearance process despite the alleged abnormalities and to determine the respective roles of those under investigation.
The allegations contained in the charge sheet have not yet been tested in court. The accused persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Source: Thepressradio.com
