Woman remanded over possession of 17.92kg suspected cannabis

A 22-year-old British national, Browne-Frater Chyna Jada, has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court. She is accused of trying to export 17.92 kg of suspected cannabis. The value of the drugs is $232,960.

Browne-Frater faces several charges. These include attempted exportation of narcotic drugs and conspiracy to commit a crime. She also faces charges for unlawful possession of narcotics without authority.

The court, led by Mrs. Susan Eduful, did not take her plea. Officials from the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) are waiting for an analytical report from the Ghana Standards Authority.

The prosecution read the charges in open court. Chief Inspector Clemence Takyi opposed a bail application, calling Browne-Frater a flight risk. He noted that an accomplice named “Joey” is still at large.

Browne-Frater's defense counsel applied for bail. They argued she had reliable sureties and would not interfere with investigations. However, the bail application was denied.

The prosecution informed the court that NACOC officers at Terminal 3 are witnesses in this case. Browne-Frater was born on October 27, 2002, and holds a valid UK passport issued on January 15, 2021.

She was set to board British Airways flight BA 2066 from Accra to London. NACOC received intelligence about a drug trafficking syndicate smuggling Thai-grown cannabis into the UK.

Browne-Frater was identified as a person of interest and placed on the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) Stop List. On May 18, 2025, GIS officials apprehended her at the airport’s departure hall.

They handed her over to NACOC officers for further questioning. During interrogation, Browne-Frater claimed she checked in one suitcase but didn’t know its contents.

Officers traced and removed the suitcase from the aircraft. At the NACOC Arrival Office, they opened it in her presence.

Inside were thirty-two vacuum-sealed slabs of a plant-like substance suspected to be cannabis. A field test confirmed it contained delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), weighing a total of 17.92 kg.

Browne-Frater was arrested and taken to NACOC Headquarters for further investigation. In her statement, she said her boyfriend “Joey” invited her to Ghana and packed the suitcase without her knowledge.

She believed it contained “Kpoo Keke” alcoholic beverage, Alomo Bitters, and spices instead of drugs. Browne-Frater denies knowing about the narcotics haul while efforts continue to locate Joey.

The seized exhibit was sealed in front of Browne-Frater and will be sent for analysis at the Ghana Standards Authority.