The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has clarified that none of the suspects held in its custody for the €225 million cocaine seizure in France are members of President John Dramani Mahama’s security detail. The statement follows a Facebook post by New Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah, who alleged that Musah Atta, one of the accused, was a presidential escort for both the President and Vice President.
Assafuah questioned how a person allegedly attached to the presidential security detail could be linked to a drug trafficking case of such magnitude, asking who granted the access and who was watching the watchers. “US$261.45 million cocaine bust and one accused, Musah Atta, is reportedly part of the security detail of both the President and Vice President. How does a presidential security operative become linked to a case of this magnitude?” he wrote.
Deputy Director‑General Alexander Twum‑Barimah told TV3’s Hot Issues that NACOC’s background checks on all suspects in its custody have not identified any as a presidential escort. He added that the Commission could not confirm Assafuah’s claim without further information on Atta’s alleged security role.
Twum‑Barimah also explained that security protocols do not allow a single officer to serve as a close escort for both the President and Vice President simultaneously, noting that each principal has a dedicated wing and sufficient personnel. He said that the claim of a dual role was inconsistent with standard protection arrangements.
The clarification comes after major cocaine seizures linked to Ghana, including the recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs from a container shipped from Ghana.
What to watch: NACOC will continue to investigate the case and may request further details from MP Assafuah to substantiate his allegations. The commission remains open to any credible evidence that could clarify the suspects’ backgrounds.
