Two containers of Ghanaian coconuts that left Tema Port in August were seized by Spanish customs in Valencia on 11 November 2026. Investigators discovered approximately 2.6 tonnes of cocaine hidden beneath false bottoms in wooden crates that were labelled as coconuts.
The consignment, originally destined for Almería, was traced back to Ghana after the cargo was cleared at Tema. Spanish authorities said the illegal drugs were concealed in the coconuts’ wooden crates, a tactic that has been used before with other Ghanaian products such as timber, cassava flour and gari.
Ghana’s Ministry of Trade and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority have not commented on the incident, but the event highlights gaps in the country’s cargo inspection procedures. The seizure follows a similar 2025 operation in France where suspicious scanning images were allegedly not properly examined before clearance.
Officials have warned that the discovery could damage Ghana’s reputation as a reputable exporter of cocoa and other agricultural goods. The incident has prompted calls for improved scanning technology and stricter oversight of cargo at Tema Port.
While the coconuts themselves are innocent, the case underscores the need for better coordination between Ghanaian customs, intelligence agencies and international partners to prevent illicit goods from entering the supply chain.
