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13/07/2007
Schoolgirls held in Ghana for drug smuggling
Two British teenagers arrested for suspected drug smuggling in Ghana said they were tricked into taking them to London.
The 16-year-olds who were stopped as they tried to board a plane at Accra airport for allegedly carrying cocaine worth £300,000 in laptop bags on July 2.
Police identified the two as Yasemin Vatansever, the London-born daughter of immigrants from Cyprus, and Yateunde Diya, also a British citizen of Nigerian descent.
Speaking by telephone from prison in Accra, Vatansever said: "There were basically two boys over here who gave us two bags, and told us to bring it, that it was an empty bag.
"We never thought anything bad was inside and they told us to go to the UK and drop it off to some boy at the airport. The two boys gave us a bag in Ghana to bring to London, to give to the boy in London.
"It was basically like a set up. They didn't tell us nothing, we didn't think nothing, because basically we are innocent. We don't know nothing about this drugs and stuff, we don't know nothing."
The girls parents thought they were on a school trip to France and are said to be absolutely devastated.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman said that officers from the British Embassy have been supporting the two girls and have visited them almost daily.
It is believed that the drugs were discovered by scanners fitted by British custom officers as part of Operation Westbridge, a joint project to stop Ghana becoming the "new Jamaica".
(CD)
The 16-year-olds who were stopped as they tried to board a plane at Accra airport for allegedly carrying cocaine worth £300,000 in laptop bags on July 2.
Police identified the two as Yasemin Vatansever, the London-born daughter of immigrants from Cyprus, and Yateunde Diya, also a British citizen of Nigerian descent.
Speaking by telephone from prison in Accra, Vatansever said: "There were basically two boys over here who gave us two bags, and told us to bring it, that it was an empty bag.
"We never thought anything bad was inside and they told us to go to the UK and drop it off to some boy at the airport. The two boys gave us a bag in Ghana to bring to London, to give to the boy in London.
"It was basically like a set up. They didn't tell us nothing, we didn't think nothing, because basically we are innocent. We don't know nothing about this drugs and stuff, we don't know nothing."
The girls parents thought they were on a school trip to France and are said to be absolutely devastated.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman said that officers from the British Embassy have been supporting the two girls and have visited them almost daily.
It is believed that the drugs were discovered by scanners fitted by British custom officers as part of Operation Westbridge, a joint project to stop Ghana becoming the "new Jamaica".
(CD)
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18 July 2007
British girls in Ghana court on drug smuggling charges
Two British girls have appeared in court in Ghana to face charges of attempting to smuggle cocaine out of the country. Yasemin Vatansever and Yatunde Diya, both aged 16, were arrested two weeks ago as they attempted to board a British Airways flight to London from Accra. The pair were allegedly carrying drugs worth £300,000.
British girls in Ghana court on drug smuggling charges
Two British girls have appeared in court in Ghana to face charges of attempting to smuggle cocaine out of the country. Yasemin Vatansever and Yatunde Diya, both aged 16, were arrested two weeks ago as they attempted to board a British Airways flight to London from Accra. The pair were allegedly carrying drugs worth £300,000.
25 September 2015
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
17 October 2003
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
04 December 2003
Ecstasy in decline but drug use is 'stable'
Class A drug use overall has remained the same but ecstasy use has fallen by a fifth, according to Home Office figures published today. Figures for 2002/03 show that class A drug use among young people has been "broadly stable" since 1996 with recent falls in some individual drugs, such as ecstasy which has fallen for the first time.
Ecstasy in decline but drug use is 'stable'
Class A drug use overall has remained the same but ecstasy use has fallen by a fifth, according to Home Office figures published today. Figures for 2002/03 show that class A drug use among young people has been "broadly stable" since 1996 with recent falls in some individual drugs, such as ecstasy which has fallen for the first time.
20 December 2013
Drug Dealer Ordered To Repay £23k
A 27-year-old man sentenced to prison earlier this year for drug dealing has been ordered to repay more than £23,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Drug Dealer Ordered To Repay £23k
A 27-year-old man sentenced to prison earlier this year for drug dealing has been ordered to repay more than £23,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
