A Kenyan woman was arrested by officials from Ghana for attempting to smuggle Ksh41.6 million (USD309,120) worth of cocaine at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
In a statement from the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in Ghana dated Monday, April 17, the lady was arrested after a routine check at the arrival hall.
The suspect had travelled from Nairobi to Accra via Johannesburg when the 11.04 kilograms of the drug was retrieved.
The suspect hid the contraband under several packets of food in her suitcases. Some of the drugs were concealed in different food packets.
“Preliminary questioning revealed that she had confirmed possession of the consignment in her luggage, and she was later arrested for further investigation," the commission stated.
The commission stated that the exhibits had been sent to the Ghana Standard Authority for further investigations while the suspect was placed under police custody.
"We wish to use this medium to remind the general public that the possession and transportation of illicit drugs without lawful authority is illegal and punishable under sections 40 (1) and 41 (1) of Act 1019 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020," NACOC affirmed.
According to the Act, a person who without lawful authority, proof of which lies on that person, has possession or control of a narcotic drug for use or for trafficking commits an offense.
Meanwhile, the Act is focused on establishing a more humane drug policy and pave way for best practices in the management of narcotic drugs in the country.
Her arrest came days after another Kenyan woman was arrested in Hong Kong with Ksh15.4 million of cocaine inside her body.
The suspect had travelled to the Chinese city from Nairobi via Addis Ababa with 67 pellets of the drug concealed inside her body.
"The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of Ksh85 million and life imprisonment," read part of a statement from the Hong Kong Customs Department.
