Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ACCRA2227
2007-10-22 07:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Accra
Cable title:  

GOG HAS LITTLE CONTROL OVER NARCOTICS FLOW THROUGH

Tags:  SNAR PGOV PREL KCRM PINR GH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5519
OO RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #2227/01 2950718
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 220718Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5552
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIAE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 0250
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002227 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INL AND AF/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL KCRM PINR GH
SUBJECT: GOG HAS LITTLE CONTROL OVER NARCOTICS FLOW THROUGH
KOTOKA

REF: ACCRA 2140

Classified By: CDA SUE K. BROWN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002227

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INL AND AF/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL KCRM PINR GH
SUBJECT: GOG HAS LITTLE CONTROL OVER NARCOTICS FLOW THROUGH
KOTOKA

REF: ACCRA 2140

Classified By: CDA SUE K. BROWN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Poloff toured Kotoka International Airport on
October 16 to survey GOG efforts to combat the transit of
narcotics. The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has around
seven overworked and underpaid officers patrolling the
airport. Resources are scant and a NACOB official told poloff
that Kotoka is rife with corruption. Seizures from
UK-sponsored Operation Westbridge likely only scratch the
surface of the narcotics trade in Ghana and UK officials
express concern about GOG participation in the program
(reftel). A high level UK delegation is visiting October 23
and 24 to discuss narcotics with the GOG. Unless the GOG
provides more resources to Kotoka, the amount of narcotics
transiting Accra to Western Europe and the U.S. will continue
to increase. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On October 16, officials from the UK sponsored
Operation Westbridge and Ghanaian Narcotics Control Board
(NACOB) toured poloff through Kotoka International Airport
and briefed him on their efforts to interdict narcotics
shipments leaving Accra. The NACOB official said an average
of seven NACOB officers monitor various posts throughout the
airport on any given evening. These include customs and
check-in areas, passport control, air cargo and passenger
drop-off, and final screening at the departure gate.


3. (C) NACOB focuses the majority of its efforts against
couriers. A NACOB official noted that the organization
trains its officers to identify couriers and employ a variety
of methods to determine whether a particular individual is
carrying narcotics. These include swabs to test for narcotics
trace in sweat as well as urine testing. If these
preliminary indicators are positive, officers transport
suspects to nearby 37 Military Hospital for x-ray and final
identification. The officer commented that drug "barons"
often sent "decoy" couriers early in the boarding process to
divert the already-stretched NACOB staff from identifying the
more veteran couriers who board later. The official praised
the two itemizers donated by the USG but noted they were
broken and requested assistance to repair them. (Note: Post
understands that UK officials have discussed the possibility
of repairing the itemizers with EUCOM. End note.)


4. (C) The NACOB official also showed poloff the chaotic
airfreight area, which he said presents numerous challenges.
The busy area peaks on Saturday nights as delivery trucks and
workers enter with little supervision, according to the NACOB
official. He noted that, in one instance, inspectors
discovered cocaine in the false bottoms of boxes carrying
fruit but shippers were able to flee the area without being
caught. A UK official noted that there was a scanner in
place to check cargo on all British Airways journeys to
London but that liability concerns prevented its use on other
flights. The UK official also recommended more attention for
imports into Ghana as the vast majority of screening relates
only to goods leaving the country. He commented upon
airlines, frequent deployment of individuals to monitor
customs weighing in response to past instances of
underreporting and resulting safety concerns for the
airplanes affected.


5. (C) The NACOB official expressed concern about corruption
and referenced the firing of two airport employees in
connection with the seizure of 70 kg of cocaine at the
duty-free shop outside the business class lounge two months
ago. He also highlighted the seizure as proof of the large
volume of narcotics flowing through the airport. The
official credited the corruption to low salaries for GoG
officials. He observed that his own employees receive
slightly higher pay than average but work bruising shifts:
typically, 12-hour shifts six to seven days a week, with a
two hour commute home, for about USD 150-200 a month. The UK
official (who spends significant time at the airport training
NACOB officers) supported this statement by saying he
frequently saw NACOB officers sneaking off for a much-needed
nap.


6. (C) COMMENT: The tour and briefing made evident the lack
of control exercised by the GOG on substances and goods
transiting its airport. While the NACOB official seemed to be
a dedicated professional serious about his work, he was under
no illusions about the challenges he faces. Staffing and
salary concerns severely hamper NACOB,s ability to interdict
narcotics couriers and shipments. Without a significant

ACCRA 00002227 002 OF 002


increase in resources, the flow of narcotics through Kotoka
into Europe and the United States will continue to increase.
END COMMENT.
BROWN