Two British citizens have been detained in Ghana following accusations of attempting to smuggle $6.48 million (£5 million) worth of cocaine to London.
On Monday, authorities seized approximately 166 kilograms (366 pounds) of the drug at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
The suspects were on the verge of boarding a British Airways flight to London Gatwick Airport when they were apprehended.
Ghana’s Narcotic Control Commission reported that the cocaine, divided into 72 slabs, was hidden in six suitcases. This arrest was part of a coordinated sting operation between the commission and the UK Crime Agency.
Ghana is increasingly becoming a critical transit point for illegal drug trafficking to Europe and the United States, leading authorities to enhance surveillance at the nation’s ports.
In 2022, Ghanaian authorities experienced a significant increase in drug seizures, with a record-breaking total of 59.9 kilograms of illicit drugs confiscated.
This latest operation highlights the ongoing challenge of combating drug smuggling in the region and the importance of international cooperation in addressing global narcotics trafficking.
