Interior Minister reveals how security officer aided drug trafficker bypass scanners at Ghana’s port

The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has revealed how a senior airport security officer allegedly exploited his position to help a drug trafficker bypass security screening at Ghana’s airport.

He said the incident had prompted authorities to strengthen security measures, including the deployment of canine units from the police and military to support the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in detecting and preventing drug trafficking.

Speaking before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, October 20, Mr Muntaka said the government was introducing additional checks to address weaknesses in the existing screening system and prevent individuals from using alternative routes to smuggle narcotics through the airport.

According to the minister, the incident involved a senior security officer who used a staff entrance to avoid the usual screening procedures.

He said the officer was not subjected to the necessary checks because of his senior position within airport security and subsequently handed over the bag he was carrying to another individual suspected of being involved in drug trafficking.

“In one of the instances, we realised that a security officer working [at the airport] decided to use a staff gate and because he is a senior person within the airport security, when he got there, they didn’t let him scan what he was carrying,” he told the committee.

“Apparently, he was aiding somebody who was going to trade drugs, so when he went through, then he went and handed it over,” he added.

Mr Muntaka said the incident had highlighted the need to strengthen security checks beyond the conventional screening systems used at the airport.

He explained that NACOC did not have enough canine units to conduct the necessary searches independently, prompting authorities to seek assistance from the police and the military.

“Once we are enhancing the tools, we have to put in additional measures like the sniffer dogs. We don’t have enough,” he said.

The minister said authorities had now decided to conduct additional checks at different stages of the airport departure process to close potential loopholes that could be exploited by individuals involved in drug trafficking.

Under the enhanced arrangements, canine units would be deployed before passengers checked in and again before they boarded their flights.

He said the approach was intended to ensure that any drugs that might have evaded earlier checks could still be detected before a passenger boarded an aircraft.

“We are deploying canine units before check-in and again before boarding to ensure that, even if someone manages to bypass security through another route, they can still be detected before boarding the aircraft,” he said.

The minister acknowledged that the additional screening measures could affect passenger movement and lead to delays at the airport.

He estimated that the process could add between 15 and 30 minutes to passengers’ journeys but said the inconvenience was necessary to strengthen security and prevent the movement of illicit drugs.

Ghana, France deepen cooperation on drug trafficking
Beyond the enhanced airport screening measures, Mr Muntaka said Ghana was working with international partners to improve intelligence-sharing and cooperation in tackling drug trafficking.

He told the committee that, following the incident, he had initiated a request for mutual legal assistance through the Attorney-General.

According to him, French authorities had also submitted a similar request, paving the way for the two countries to work together on the matter.

“When this thing happened, just the day after, I wrote for mutual legal assistance through the Attorney-General. Just as ours was going, the French had also written, calling for mutual legal assistance,” he said.

Mutual legal assistance allows countries to co-operate formally in criminal investigations and related legal proceedings, including through the exchange of information and evidence, subject to applicable laws and procedures.

Mr Muntaka said the collaboration demonstrated Ghana’s commitment to working with other countries to address the international dimensions of drug trafficking.

He also disclosed that Ghana had signed memoranda of understanding with the Netherlands and the United Kingdom as part of efforts to strengthen international co-operation.

“He has signed an MOU with the Netherlands and then the UK,” the minister said, referring to the agreements in his submission.

The planned deployment of canine units at multiple points in the departure process is intended to provide an additional layer of protection against such vulnerabilities.

Mr Muntaka maintained that strengthening equipment, improving screening procedures and sharing intelligence with international partners were important elements of the government’s response.