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UK girls in Ghana drugs arrests

2007-07-12 14:41:35

Two 16-year-old students from London have been arrested in Ghana allegedly

carrying 300,000 of cocaine.

The drugs were said to have been found on the girls at Accra airport by

Ghanaian Narcotic Control Board officers while trying to board a plane.

The officers were taking part in Operation Westbridge with HM Revenue and

Customs (HMRC).

It is aimed at stopping traffickers getting drugs into the UK and Europe

through the West African country.

Operation Westbridge follows the success of Operation Airbridge, a joint

initiative between the UK and Jamaica to catch couriers carrying Class A drugs

in their bodies, before they board planes from the island.

The Westbridge collaboration between Ghana and the UK is delivering real

results

Tony Walker, HM Customs & Excise

Tony Walker, leading the operation for HMRC, said the alleged use of such young

girls as couriers "vividly illustrates the ruthlessness of the criminal drug

gangs involved in this traffic".

Mr Walker added: "The Westbridge collaboration between Ghana and the UK is

delivering real results in this and other cases by helping to protect both

countries from the violence and corruption that always accompanies the trade in

illegal drugs."

In the operation, which was launched last November, HMRC officers give

technical and operational expertise to the Ghanaian government which includes

training in the use of Foreign Office-funded scanning equipment.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the arrest of two British

national minors on 2 July at Accra airport. "Next of kin have been informed and

we are providing full consular assistance."

She said the Foreign Office was unable to confirm any personal details due to

the girls' ages.

HMRC confirmed the teenagers were arrested at Accra airport on 2 July,

allegedly carrying an estimated 300,000 worth of cocaine.