Ghana deports South Korean fugitive wanted over US$3.6 billion cocaine shipments

An 80-year old South Korean man who had been on the run for 22 years for his alleged involvement in cocaine shipments worth about US$3.6 billion has been deported from Ghana to his home country.

The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was repatriated to South Korea on October 20, 2026.

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According to the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), he was deported through the collaborative efforts of Ghanaian authorities, Korean media outlet Yonhap News Agency reported.

The suspect had reportedly been living in Ghana as an undocumented immigrant since around 2004, when he fled after his alleged accomplices were arrested.

The suspect is accused of transporting more than five tonnes of cocaine on five occasions between 2002 and 2004 while working as a supervisor on a deep-sea fishing vessel in international waters off South America.

According to the media report, the shipments are believed to have contained 5,385 kilogrammes of cocaine with an estimated value of 4.8 trillion won (about US$3.6 billion).

The suspect allegedly transported the drugs on behalf of a trafficking organisation and received payment for the shipments.

His return to South Korea followed efforts by the Busan Coast Guard, which placed him on the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)'s wanted list.

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The KNPA said his whereabouts were confirmed through information shared with the Ghanaian police.

He was subsequently deported from Ghana and brought back to South Korea in coordination with the Busan Coast Guard.

MAG/VPO

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