British Woman in Alleged Cannabis smuggling case to Remain in custody Until End of Trial

Court News

A 22-year-old British woman, Chyna Jada Browne-Frater, has been remanded in custody. The Accra Circuit Court 3 charged her with attempting to smuggle drugs out of Ghana.

Her arrest occurred at Kotoka International Airport on May 18, 2025. This followed intelligence from international partners received by Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).

Browne-Frater faces three charges under the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019). These include attempted exportation of narcotic drugs without a license. She is also charged with conspiracy to commit the crime with a suspect named “Joey,” who is still at large. Additionally, she faces unlawful possession or control of narcotic drugs.

The prosecution stated that Browne-Frater was set to board British Airways flight BA 2066 to London. She was apprehended at Terminal 3 by officials from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS). Her name had been placed on the GIS Stop List due to NACOC's intelligence linking her to a drug trafficking syndicate.

A suitcase checked in under her name was traced and removed from the aircraft. NACOC officers opened it and found 32 vacuum-sealed slabs of a plant-like substance suspected to be cannabis. The estimated street value of the drugs is $232,960. A field test confirmed the presence of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is found in cannabis.

During questioning, Browne-Frater claimed she did not know what was in the suitcase. She said her boyfriend Joey packed it and told her it contained local drinks and spices. She denied knowing about any narcotic substances.

The court has not taken her plea yet. They are waiting for results from the Ghana Standards Authority to confirm what was seized. Presiding judge Her Honour Susana Eduful denied bail requested by defense counsel Paulina Flecture, who represented Andrew Vortia.

The judge cited the seriousness of the offense and concerns about flight risk. Browne-Frater remains in lawful custody while investigations continue. NACOC officials are working to locate and apprehend Joey, her alleged accomplice.