More details are emerging about the four suspects arrested by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) following the seizure of a major cocaine shipment in France that originated from Ghana.
One of the suspects is identified as Jessica Hartog, the wife of Desmond Koranteng, also known as “Biggie” or “Accra Chief,” who has been identified in reports as a key suspect in the investigation.
Koranteng is reportedly a member of the East Legon Executive Fitness Club (ELEFC), a private fitness facility in Accra. His reported association with the club has emerged as further details about his background and social connections come to light.
Hartog is among four people who were charged and arraigned before the High Court in Accra on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in connection with the cocaine investigation. The four suspects have been remanded for four weeks and are expected to reappear on October 13, 2026.
Who is Jessica Hartog?
According to details published by The New Republic, citing sources familiar with the case, Jessica Hartog owns Eurospa Spa and Salon, an upscale beauty parlour located near Shiashie in East Legon, Accra.
The other suspects identified in reports are Desmond Koranteng Curiel, also known as Paul Kweku Yeboah or Biggs; Musah Attah, alias Kromo; and Kweku Otchere.
The specific allegations against Hartog, including the extent of her alleged involvement in the suspected trafficking operation, have not been publicly disclosed.
Who is Desmond Koranteng?
Koranteng, also known as “Biggie” or “Accra Chief,” has been described in reports as a principal suspect in the investigation.
Sources cited by The New Republic say he is believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s and had allegedly been under NACOC surveillance for some time before the operation.
He is suspected of being a Ghana-based point man for a network allegedly linked to Dutch fugitive Joseph Johannes Leijdekkers, popularly known as Bolle Jos and also referred to as Omar Sherif.
Leijdekkers is wanted over serious drug-trafficking offences and has been linked by investigators to cocaine shipments moving from West Africa to Europe.
The cocaine shipment
The arrests followed the seizure of about 3.9 tonnes of cocaine by French customs officials at the port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
The cocaine, reportedly worth an estimated €225 million on the street, was concealed in a container carrying plastic waste that originated from Ghana and was reportedly partly destined for Antwerp, Belgium.
The seizure has raised questions about the routes allegedly used to transport cocaine from West Africa to European markets and the possible role of networks associated with Leijdekkers.
According to NACOC, the arrests followed the seizure in France, with investigators working to establish the alleged roles of the suspects and their possible connections to the wider trafficking network.
Court proceedings
The four suspects were arraigned before the High Court in Accra on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
They have been remanded for four weeks and are expected to return to court on October 13, 2026.
The proceedings are expected to provide further information about the individual allegations against the accused persons and any alleged links to an international cocaine trafficking network.
NACOC has not publicly confirmed all the identities reported in connection with the case or released detailed allegations against each accused person.
All the suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
