NACOC Confirms Arrest of British Passenger in Major Drug Bust
A British woman has been arrested in Ghana after authorities allegedly found 18 kilograms of cannabis in her luggage ahead of a British Airways flight to Gatwick Airport.
Chyna Jada Browne-Frater, 23, was intercepted by Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on May 25, just before boarding flight BA2066 from Accra to London Gatwick.
Authorities claim they discovered 32 slabs of the Class B drug hidden in her suitcase, which reportedly carries a street value of £170,000. A preliminary test confirmed the substance was cannabis, and she was taken into custody and remanded by a Ghanaian court the following day.
Second British National Also Detained for Cannabis Haul
In a separate but related case, 19-year-old Christian Owusu Williams, also a British citizen, was arrested at the same airport en route to Dubai, allegedly found with 92 slabs of cannabis weighing nearly 54kg.
While authorities have not officially linked the two incidents, NACOC stated they are continuing their anti-narcotics crackdown and remain “resolute and committed to the fight against drug trafficking and usage.”
Drug Trafficking Crackdown at Ghana’s International Hub
This latest seizure follows a major bust on May 18, which uncovered over 50kg of cannabis from a British traveler arriving from Thailand via Dubai. Investigations into that case have led to the arrests of two Ghanaians, including a customs officer and a porter, suspected of aiding trafficking operations from the airport’s Commercially Important Persons (CIP) section.
Cannabis Trafficking on the Rise Among UK Nationals
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) recently reported a fivefold increase in cannabis seizures at British airports in the past year, with 27 tonnes seized, nearly half at Heathrow.
Cases like this highlight growing concerns about British nationals becoming drug mules, with multiple arrests in Thailand, Georgia, and Sri Lanka involving young women facing long prison sentences abroad.
What Happens Next?
Chyna Jada Browne-Frater has been transferred to NACOC headquarters for further questioning. If convicted under Ghanaian drug laws, she could face severe penalties, including long-term imprisonment.
Meanwhile, the UK Border Force is trialing a controversial repatriation scheme, allowing drug offenders to be tried in their country of origin under international cooperation agreements.
Call for Information
Authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious activity related to international drug trafficking through anonymous tip lines or local enforcement agencies.
