The Netherlands Police has launched a specialised training programme for officers of Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) K9 Unit as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against transnational organised crime and narcotics trafficking across the West African sub-region.
The week-long training is being conducted in collaboration with the Netherlands Police and the Gendarmerie K9 Unit and is currently underway in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. It began on Monday, April 13, 2026, and is expected to end on Friday, April 17, 2026.
The programme is designed to enhance the operational skills of K9 handlers and sniffer dogs, with a strong focus on detecting illegal narcotics concealed on maritime vessels—one of the key channels used by international drug trafficking networks.
Officers are being trained in advanced boarding procedures, systematic ship searches, and specialised detection techniques using trained police dogs. The practical sessions are aimed at improving precision, speed, and coordination during maritime interdiction operations.
The initiative is expected to significantly boost the capacity of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to detect and intercept drugs trafficked through sea routes, which continue to serve as a major conduit for organised criminal networks operating internationally.
Beyond technical skills, the training also forms part of broader international cooperation efforts aimed at strengthening border security and disrupting illicit drug movements across West Africa.
Security experts say the growing reliance on intelligence-led policing and canine units reflects a shift in strategy, as law enforcement agencies increasingly target sophisticated trafficking operations at ports and territorial waters.
The collaboration underscores the shared commitment of partner agencies to intensify the global response to drug trafficking and organised crime.
