A 34-year-old Ghanaian beautician, Jessica Hartog, has been arraigned before the High Court in Accra over her alleged involvement in the exportation of about four tonnes of suspected narcotics from Ghana to France.
Hartog, who owns Euros Spa in East Legon, is one of four suspects facing charges in connection with the shipment. The others are businessman Desmond Koranteng Curiel, also known as Paul Kweku Yeboah or Biggs Musah Attah, Kromo, and Kweku Otchere.
The case came to light after French authorities intercepted a 40-foot container at Dunkirk in September 2026. The container, which was shipped from Ghana, was declared to contain plastic waste, but prohibited substances were allegedly discovered concealed inside. The shipment is estimated to have a street value of about $260 million.
Following the interception, Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) launched an investigation into individuals linked to the consignment.
Hartog and Curiel were arrested by NACOC officers at Ashaley Botwe on September 12, while Otchere was arrested at his East Legon residence the same day. Prosecutors told the court that Attah later turned himself in at NACOC headquarters on September 14.
Searches conducted in connection with the arrests reportedly led to the recovery of three firearms, ammunition, four luxury vehicles, passports and various sums of money.
Hartog, identified in court as Curiel’s fiancée, told investigators that she was unaware of the nature or specifics of his business dealings.
All four accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The High Court subsequently remanded them into lawful custody pending further proceedings, with the case adjourned until October 13, 2026.
A fifth suspect, Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, also known as Bolle Jos, is reportedly still at large.
