A 30-year old Zimbabwean woman was on December 3 arrested by the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) on December 3 at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana.
The woman, identified as Cynthia Lichonja was arrested when she disembarked from Ethiopian Airways flight Number ET 921.
A search was carried out in her checked-in luggage by NACOB in her presence and led to the discovery of seven parcels of brownish powdery substances suspected to be narcotics concealed in false compartments of the suitcase. The substance, when tested, proved positive for Speedball, a narcotic substance with a weight of 7.5kg.
According to reports, Lichonja admitted that the suitcase was given to her by one Ms Patience, her childhood friend in Zimbabwe to be sent to an unknown person in Accra, adding that Ms Patience bought her the ticket to enable her travel to Accra.
Reports further indicate that the woman is now remanded in prison custody and Ghanaian authorities are making frantic efforts to track down the said Ms Patience and her accomplice to whom the suitcase was to be delivered.
There has been a sharp rise in the number of Zimbabwean citizens who have been arrested in foreign lands for drug trafficking. Most of them are considered drug mules and are made to carry the illicit substances unawares. In February a Zimbabwean citizen was arrested in Maputo, Mozambique while in April this year, two women were caught in separate incidents in New Delhi, India carrying drugs.
Hardships …and costly for the image of Zimbabwe…..at least there is a better taste of justice in its true sense .. all equal before the law in Ghana ..or pay handsomely fro her release