Accra: A 41-year-old man nabbed in connection with 32 vacuum-sealed plant-like substances suspected to be cannabis has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court. Joey Mclaren Hammond is facing charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, namely, the exportation of narcotic drugs without a license issued by the Minister responsible for Health, and two counts of unlawful possession or control of narcotic drugs with lawful authority. Hammond's plea was not taken by the court.
According to Ghana News Agency, Browne-Frater Chyna Jade, a 22-year-old British national, was the first suspect who had earlier been remanded by another Circuit Court. The prosecution, led by Hilda Craig, Principal State Attorney, requested the court to remand Hammond. However, the defense counsel opposed this request, arguing for Hammond to be granted bail. The Trial Judge, Mr. Isaac Addo, considering the nature of the accusation and potential punishment, declined bail and remanded Hammond into Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) custody, with a reappearance set for June 16, 2025.
The facts before the court reveal that witnesses are authorized officers of NACOC stationed at Terminal three of Kotoka International Airport in Accra. The first suspect, Jade, was scheduled to travel on British Airways flight BA 2068 from Accra to London. The second suspect, Joey Mclaren Hammond, is a Ghanaian businessman residing in East Legon, Accra. NACOC received intelligence from its foreign counterparts regarding a drug trafficking syndicate smuggling Thai-grown and processed cannabis into the United Kingdom.
As a result, Jade became a person of interest and was placed on the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) Stop List. On May 18, 2025, GIS officials apprehended Jade and handed her over to NACOC officers at the Departure Hall of the airport. During an initial interrogation, she claimed ignorance about the contents of her checked-in suitcase. Acting on suspicion, NACOC officers offloaded the suitcase, which was already on the aircraft, and discovered thirty-two vacuum-sealed slabs of a plantlike substance suspected to be narcotics. The total weight was approximately 17.92 kilograms, with an estimated street value of USD 232,960.
A field test on a sample of the substance turned positive for delta g tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component in cannabis. Jade was arrested on suspicion of attempting to export narcotic drugs and taken to NACOC Headquarters for further investigation. During interrogation, Jade stated she had been invited to Ghana by her boyfriend, known only as 'Joey,' who packed her suitcase on her departure day, allegedly containing Kpoo Keke alcoholic drink, Alomo Bitters, and assorted spices. She denied knowledge of the narcotic substances in her luggage.
Efforts were made to locate and apprehend 'Joey' to assist with the ongoing investigation. The seized narcotic exhibits were sealed in the presence of the suspect and forwarded to the Ghana Standards Authority for analysis. On May 26, 2025, Joey, previously declared at large, was arrested and detained in lawful custody after voluntarily presenting himself to NACOC with his counsel. During an identification parade, Jade identified Browne Frater as the one who handed her the suitcase.
Hammond admitted knowing Jade and briefly hosting her in Tse-Addo but claimed no further contact. The same day, Hammond was arrested, and NACOC officers searched his residence in East Legon, recovering assorted weapons, seven wraps of cannabis, and four partly smoked cannabis pieces. A black Range Rover vehicle with registration number GE 1435-25 was also impounded. During an on-the-spot interrogation, Hammond admitted to using cannabis for recreational purposes. Investigations are ongoing.