Ghanaian woman caught with cannabis hidden in cargo at KIA

A 46-year-old Ghanaian woman has been arrested at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) after narcotics officials found cannabis hidden in her cargo.

The arrest took place on Tuesday night at the Swissport consolidated cargo section of the airport.

Officers from the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) moved in after receiving intelligence about suspicious packages that were linked to the woman.

Upon examining the cargo, officials discovered 30 slabs of compressed cannabis.

The drugs, which were concealed among personal belongings, weighed a total of 16.4 kilograms.

The suspect was immediately detained and is now assisting authorities with ongoing investigations.

NACOC has confirmed that the illicit substance has been seized and is undergoing further examination as part of the case.

The agency also stated that the arrest is part of its continued efforts to tackle drug trafficking through Ghana’s ports of entry.

A spokesperson for NACOC highlighted the importance of intelligence-sharing and cross-agency coordination in curbing illegal drug activities.

“Our teams remain vigilant and committed to protecting our borders from drug trafficking networks,” the spokesperson said.

Officials are urging the public to remain alert and report suspicious activity to help maintain the safety and security of the country’s entry points.

This incident adds to the growing list of recent drug-related arrests at major transit points in the country, raising ongoing concerns about Ghana’s role in international drug trafficking routes.

In one such case, a 22-year-old British woman was arrested on May 18, 2025, for allegedly attempting to traffic nearly 18 kilograms of suspected cannabis through KIA out of Ghana.

Officials from the Ghana Immigration Service, acting on intelligence, stopped her at the departure hall and later handed her over to the NACOC.

According to NACOC, a suitcase bearing her name was traced, removed from the aircraft, and opened in her presence.

Inside, officers found 32 vacuum-sealed slabs of a substance that tested positive for delta-9 THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. The total weight of the substance was 17.92kg, with an estimated street value of $232,960.

She has since been remanded.