A 34-year-old Ghanaian beautician, Jessica Hartog, has been remanded in custody alongside three other suspects over the alleged exportation of nearly four tonnes of cocaine from Ghana to France in a shipment valued at about US$260 million.
Hartog appeared before the High Court in Accra on September 16, where she and the other accused persons pleaded not guilty to charges relating to conspiracy and the unauthorised exportation of narcotic drugs. The court ordered that they remain in custody and adjourned the case until October 13, 2026.
The case followed the seizure of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs officials at the port of Dunkirk on September 10. The drugs were allegedly concealed inside a 40-foot container declared to contain plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana. French authorities put the street value of the seized cocaine at about €225 million, equivalent to roughly US$260 million.
According to Brandspur Brand News, Hartog is accused alongside businessman Desmond Koranteng Curiel, also known as Paul Kweku Yeboah or Biggs, Musah Attah, alias Kromo, and Kweku Otchere. A fifth suspect, Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as Bolle Jos, remains at large.
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) began investigations after receiving information about the French seizure. Its subsequent operation led to the arrests of Curiel and Hartog at Ashale Botwe on September 12, while Otchere was arrested at his East Legon residence. Attah later turned himself in at NACOC headquarters on September 14.
Searches conducted during the investigation resulted in the recovery of three firearms, ammunition, four luxury vehicles, passports and various sums of money, according to the prosecution’s account presented in court.
Hartog told investigators that she was Curiel’s fiancée and said she was unaware of the nature and details of his business activities. The other accused persons also denied involvement in the alleged shipment during questioning, according to the court proceedings.
NACOC has said the arrests are part of an investigation into people allegedly representing or facilitating the activities of Leijdekkers in Ghana. The commission is also working with international law enforcement agencies as investigators trace how the consignment left Ghana and reached France.
The four accused persons remain in custody pending further proceedings, while investigators continue efforts to establish the roles of those connected to the alleged cocaine shipment.
