The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has justified its decision to withhold the identities of three suspects arrested for allegedly facilitating the activities of Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, widely known as “Bolle Jos,” in Ghana.
The arrests followed a major operation in which French customs intercepted a massive cocaine shipment linked to a wider international syndicate.
According to NACOC, the suspects remain in custody to assist investigators in probing their involvement in the cross-border trafficking enterprise.
In an official statement released on Monday, 14 September 2026, the Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations at NACOC, PNCO Francis Opoku Amoah, emphasised the Commission’s uncompromising stance against international organised crime.
However, sections of the Ghanaian public have raised concerns over why the identities of the suspects have not been made public.
Responding to these concerns on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, PNCO Francis Opoku Amoah explained that the decision was driven by strategic operational reasons. He noted that illicit drug trafficking is a syndicated enterprise, which requires a tactical approach during investigations and arrests.
He stated that rushing to disclose the identities of the suspects could alert accomplices and enable them to evade justice.
Assuring the public, he stressed that the Commission has no intention of shielding drug traffickers and will disclose full details at the appropriate stage of the investigation.
“Ghanaians have raised genuine concerns over reasons why we have not disclosed the identities of the suspects and other such cases. However, it is important to note that investigations into the activities of drug traffickers require intelligence and strategy. As part of the strategy, it is important to acknowledge that you don’t rush in publishing the names and pictures of the suspects. That can make the others who are also part of the drug syndicates go into hiding or escape justice.
“The drug traffickers work in syndicates and so when you arrest three and you rush in publishing their names, it will deprive you of arresting the others. You can only publish their names after an extensive investigation, or their prosecution in a competent court of jurisdiction can also help in exposing them.
“We don’t shield drug traffickers. We do our best in taking them through lawful processes so they will be prosecuted in a competent court of jurisdiction. Anyone we have arrested has gone through the process. Let me stress that we don’t rush in doing these things as part of efforts not to breach the rights of these suspects. So we want Ghanaians to trust the Commission to do its work, and at the right time, we will publish their names.”
He further reaffirmed NACOC’s commitment to dismantling criminal supply chains through strategic local and international law-enforcement partnerships, while urging Ghanaians to provide credible intelligence to aid in capturing suspects.
He added that NACOC currently operates in 77 districts across the country where members of the public can report cases with guaranteed informant protection.
By:;Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
