By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The Chief Executive Officer of EuroSpa and Beauty Lounge, Jessica Hartog, and three other persons have been remanded by an Accra High Court over their alleged involvement in the exportation of nearly four tonnes of cocaine from Ghana to France.
The four accused persons were arraigned before the court on September 16, 2026, in connection with the alleged narcotics shipment, which was intercepted by French authorities after arriving in France from Ghana.
The shipment, reportedly involving nearly four tonnes of cocaine, is said to have an estimated value of approximately €225 million, making the case one of the major international narcotics investigations involving Ghana and France.
Hartog, who operates the EuroSpa and Beauty Lounge in Shiashie, Accra, is alleged by prosecutors to be the fiancée of one of the key persons linked to the operation.
She is facing charges relating to conspiracy and the alleged unlawful exportation of narcotic substances.
However, Hartog has denied any involvement in the alleged narcotics operation and pleaded not guilty when she appeared before the court.
According to her defence, Hartog maintained that she did not know the nature of her fiancé’s business and was unaware of any alleged activities involving the shipment of cocaine.
The other three accused persons also pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Following the arraignment, the court refused bail and ordered that Hartog and the three other accused persons be remanded into custody pending further investigations.
They are expected to remain in custody until October 13, 2026, when the case is scheduled to return to court for further proceedings.
The prosecution is expected to use the period to continue investigations into the alleged shipment, including the circumstances surrounding its export from Ghana, the individuals allegedly involved and the suspected roles of the accused persons.
The case has drawn significant attention because of the reported quantity and value of the cocaine shipment, as well as its alleged international connection between Ghana and France.
The allegations against the accused persons have not yet been proven in court. All four have pleaded not guilty and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Further proceedings on October 13 are expected to provide more details on the prosecution’s case and the progress of investigations into the alleged narcotics operation.
