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21/11/2007
Teen Drug Couriers Found Guilty By Ghana Court
Teenage drug smugglers have been found guilty of trying to smuggle cocaine from Ghana to the UK.
The two British 16-year-old girls, Yasemin Vatansever and Yatunde Diya, both of north London, were arrested at an airport in Accra on 2 July.
They denied the charge of attempting to smuggle more than 6kg (13lbs) of the drug on a BA flight to London.
The girls were found guilty by a Ghanaian court and could face up to three years in a juvenile detention facility when sentenced in December.
It is believed the man who lured them to Ghana ruthlessly exploited these very young girls' naivety.
They had told the court they were set up, but the prosecution said they were involved from the start in a plot to smuggle drugs.
The girls have already spent nearly five months in custody after they were arrested with laptop bags containing cocaine.
But neither girl remains in custody and left the court after the hearing on Wednesday.
They are being tried under Ghana's Juvenile Justice Act which means their trial had to be completed within six months.
Since British Customs officials started working with their Ghanaian counterparts a year ago, drugs with a street value of more than £60m have been intercepted en route from Ghana to Europe.
(BMcC)
The two British 16-year-old girls, Yasemin Vatansever and Yatunde Diya, both of north London, were arrested at an airport in Accra on 2 July.
They denied the charge of attempting to smuggle more than 6kg (13lbs) of the drug on a BA flight to London.
The girls were found guilty by a Ghanaian court and could face up to three years in a juvenile detention facility when sentenced in December.
It is believed the man who lured them to Ghana ruthlessly exploited these very young girls' naivety.
They had told the court they were set up, but the prosecution said they were involved from the start in a plot to smuggle drugs.
The girls have already spent nearly five months in custody after they were arrested with laptop bags containing cocaine.
But neither girl remains in custody and left the court after the hearing on Wednesday.
They are being tried under Ghana's Juvenile Justice Act which means their trial had to be completed within six months.
Since British Customs officials started working with their Ghanaian counterparts a year ago, drugs with a street value of more than £60m have been intercepted en route from Ghana to Europe.
(BMcC)
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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.
22 October 2003
West African children to be treated after polio outbreak
Hundreds of thousands of health workers began an immunisation campaign today aimed at reaching every child in five West African countries within three days to stop a growing threat of polio, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
West African children to be treated after polio outbreak
Hundreds of thousands of health workers began an immunisation campaign today aimed at reaching every child in five West African countries within three days to stop a growing threat of polio, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
17 July 2008
Drug Trafficking Teenagers Released From Ghana Jail
Two British teenagers who were jailed in Ghana for attempting to smuggle drugs back to the UK have been released from prison. Seventeen-year-olds Yasemin Vatansever and Yatunde Diya, both from north London, were arrested at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on 2 July 2007.
Drug Trafficking Teenagers Released From Ghana Jail
Two British teenagers who were jailed in Ghana for attempting to smuggle drugs back to the UK have been released from prison. Seventeen-year-olds Yasemin Vatansever and Yatunde Diya, both from north London, were arrested at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on 2 July 2007.
13 July 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.
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.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
