British man remanded in Ghana over 142kg cocaine trafficking plot

A British national, Ezekiel Ojay Gilbert-Smith, has been remanded in prison custody by an Accra High Court for allegedly attempting to traffic 142.9kg of cocaine to the UK, DailyGuide reports.

His arrest on July 17, 2024, followed the detention of two accomplices, Omar Adel Graham and Ethline Shamin Hall, who identified him as the mastermind behind the smuggling attempt.

The suspects were caught at Kotoka International Airport with six suitcases containing 144 compressed slabs of cocaine.

Gilbert-Smith pleaded not guilty but was denied bail after prosecutors argued he posed a high flight risk.

The judge ruled he lacked strong ties in Ghana, making his release a potential escape risk. The case has been adjourned to February 24 for further proceedings.