A team of security personnel in a joint exercise known as the Global Container Control Programme, at the Tema Harbour, yesterday intercepted 150 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine on board a cargo ship, St. Esrem, from Brazil.

Briefing newsmen yesterday, a source close to the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) said the substances were found concealed among bags of sugar on board the vessel.

The source said the interception was made yesterday during routine checks on ships that had docked at the harbour. It said that one of the ship’s crew members, a Philipino, was found dead on the ship but 22 others including the Captain have been arrested and are helping in investigations.

On interrogation, the source said the Captain claimed the ship was hired by somebody in Brazil to transport the sugar to Ghana and he was not aware the goods included narcotic substances.

The joint operation was undertaken by personnel of the Bureau of National Investigations, the Police, NADMO, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service and the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority. The Global Container Programme is a mentorship programme to detect illicit drugs, stolen items including vehicles and contraband goods. The exercise started last November in Tema and Dakar, Senegal.