Two officials of the Energy Commission have been detained by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) as part of investigations into an alleged attempt to smuggle methamphetamine concealed in a shipment of charcoal destined for Australia.

NACOC said the officials were taken into custody to assist with investigations into the export consignment, which was intercepted by Australian authorities, according to a report by adomonlinecom.

The shipment is suspected to have been laced with methamphetamine in what investigators believe may be part of an international drug trafficking operation.

According to a statement issued by NACOC, the two officials are being questioned over their alleged connection to the approval process for the charcoal export.

The Energy Commission is responsible for issuing permits and licences for charcoal exports from Ghana.

Investigators are examining how the shipment obtained export approval and whether the required procedures were properly followed before it left the country.

NACOC said the detentions form part of a broader investigation aimed at identifying those behind the suspected trafficking network and determining whether there were any breaches or compromises in the export approval process.

The commission did not disclose the identities of the two officials and said no formal charges had been announced.

Authorities said investigations were continuing and that further details would be released as the probe progresses.

The case follows the interception of the charcoal consignment by Australian authorities, triggering a joint investigation into the suspected cross-border drug trafficking operation.