The Netherlands Police has commenced a week-long specialised training programme for officers of Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) K9 Unit, aimed at strengthening the fight against transnational organised crime and narcotics trafficking.
The training, which began on Monday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is being conducted in collaboration with the Netherlands Police and the Gendarmerie K9 Unit. It is expected to conclude on Friday, April 17, 2026.
According to NACOC officials, the programme is designed to enhance the operational skills of handlers and sniffer dogs in detecting illegal narcotics concealed on maritime vessels. Key components of the training include boarding procedures, systematic ship searches, and advanced detection techniques using trained K9 dogs.
Sea routes remain a major channel for international drug smuggling networks, and the initiative is expected to significantly improve NACOC’s capacity to detect and intercept narcotics trafficked through Ghana’s ports and territorial waters.
The collaboration forms part of broader international cooperation efforts to combat organised crime and strengthen border security across the West African sub-region.
It also underscores the growing importance of intelligence-led operations and the deployment of canine units in disrupting illicit drug movements.
The training will not only boost NACOC’s operational readiness but also reinforce Ghana’s commitment to regional and global security partnerships.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
