A 34-year-old Ghanaian beautician and businesswoman, Jessica Hartog, has been remanded in custody by an Accra High Court over her alleged connection with a shipment of nearly four tonnes of cocaine intercepted by French authorities.
Hartog, who is associated with Euro Spa and Beauty Lounge in Accra, is one of four people charged in connection with the alleged exportation of the narcotics from Ghana to France.
The other accused persons are businessman Desmond Koranteng Curiel, also known as Paul Kweku Yeboah or “Biggs”; Musah Attah, alias “Kromo”; and Kweku Otchere.
The case followed the seizure of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the northern French port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
According to reports presented in court, the suspected cocaine was concealed in a 40-foot container declared to contain plastic waste originating from Ghana. The consignment was reportedly destined for Europe, with part of it said to have been intended for Antwerp, Belgium.
The estimated value of the seized cocaine has been reported differently by Ghanaian authorities and media outlets. Ghana News Agency put the estimated street value at about US$260 million, while other reports cited approximately €225 million.
Following the seizure, Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) commenced investigations and arrested the four accused persons.
Prosecutors told the court that Hartog and Curiel were arrested at Ashaley Botwe on September 12, while Kweku Otchere was arrested at his residence in East Legon. Musah Attah was subsequently arrested at the NACOC headquarters on September 14.
The prosecution said searches connected to the arrests led to the recovery of three firearms, ammunition, four luxury vehicles, passports and various sums of money.
During questioning, Curiel reportedly denied involvement in the alleged narcotics shipment. Hartog, identified in court as his fiancée, reportedly told investigators that she was unaware of the nature and details of his business activities.
The four accused persons have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically the exportation of narcotic drugs without the required licence, and the exportation of narcotic drugs.
They all pleaded not guilty.
The High Court subsequently remanded them in custody, with the case adjourned until October 13, 2026. Their applications for bail were denied.
A fifth suspect, Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos,” is reportedly still at large. NACOC has said investigations are continuing, including efforts to establish how the consignment left Ghana and to identify other people allegedly connected to the shipment.
