NACOC urges courier operators to tighten checks amid rising narcotics trafficking risks
By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has issued a stern warning to courier and logistics companies, particularly those handling international deliveries, to exercise greater due diligence by verifying the contents of packages and confirming client identities in a bid to prevent inadvertent involvement with narcotics trafficking.
This caution follows the recent arrest of three personnel from two courier companies linked to a narcotics bust at the port. Although the individuals have pleaded innocent, they are being treated as accomplices under the law.
Deputy Director-General of NACOC, Alexander Twum Barimah, stated that in cases involving narcotics smuggling via courier services, traffickers often provide fake contact details – making it difficult to trace them. This, he said, leaves the courier personnel vulnerable to prosecution.
“We urge courier and e-commerce companies, including key players such as Jumia, to insist on verifiable identification – preferably the Ghana Card – and carry out thorough inspections of packages prior to dispatch,” he said.
Mr. Barimah stressed that ignorance of the law is no defence – and although NACOC does not wish to penalise innocent delivery personnel, anyone found transporting banned substances will face the full rigours of the law.
He further disclosed that NACOC plans to deploy officers at major courier hubs to assist in scanning packages before they are transported to the ports, as a measure to help exonerate genuine operators from legal repercussions in drug-related incidents.
Additionally, he advised courier firms to invest in robust package tracking systems and infrastructure to enhance operational security and traceability.
These remarks were made during a stakeholder engagement organised by the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC), in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), aimed at reviewing and strengthening Act 649 to boost regulatory efficiency in the sector.
Proposed amendments to Act 649
Head of Communications-PCSRC Nii Yeboah emphasised that a strengthened regulatory framework for postal, courier and logistics services would not only bolster e-commerce growth but also foster greater social inclusion across the country.
In a presentation on the proposed amendments, Lawyer Francis Adiasani of Kllenn Law Office highlighted the importance of consumer protection in ensuring the sector’s long-term sustainability.
Key proposed changes to Act 649 include:
- Title revision: Part I of Act 649 will be amended to include logistics services, while the Commission’s name will be changed to the Postal, Courier & Logistics Commission.
- Regulatory requirements: Amendment to Legislative Instrument (LI) 2205, Regulation 14(3)(e), will require individuals or entities intending to provide postal, courier and logistics services to present evidence of having the necessary technological and logistical infrastructure.
- Expanded regulatory coverage: Amendment to Section 10(2) of Act 649 will broaden the categories of service providers to include:
- Private courier and logistics operators;
- Operators of online shops and e-commerce platforms;
- Supermarkets, shops, malls, restaurants and other commercial concerns providing courier services;
- Public and private transport operators involved in transporting courier items by land, sea or air.
In conclusion, Mr. Adiasani stated: “As the industry continues to evolve, regulators and stakeholders must work collaboratively on addressing emerging challenges and opportunities, including the growth of e-commerce, security issues and consumer protection”.
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