Accra, July 12, GNA - Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) authorities at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), on Sunday night arrested Trevor Paul Comnah, a British citizen, at the departure Hall of the KIA, for attempting to export to the U.K, 19 parcels of a narcotic substance suspected to be cannabis.

The substance had a total weight of 18.5kg. Customs officials told the GNA that the suspect presented two suitcases for examination by Customs, and in the course of examination the officers found some hard parcels concealed in the lining of the suit case, wrapped in brown cellotape and glued to the sides of the suit cases. They said officials from the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) were invited to the scene of the arrest, and the substance was tested and found to be cannabis.

The suitcases, parcels, as well as the suspect were then handed over to the NACOB officials. In another development, CEPS officials at the KIA have reminded the travelling public that by the prevailing Bank of Ghana regulations, they could not travel with an amount exceeding $10,000, and that persons wishing to carry more than that ceiling should be transported through the banking system.

The officials told the Ghana News Agency that from February, 2010 to date, five foreigners comprising one Lebanese and four Nigerians had been arrested at the KIA by CEPS officials with a total of $243,000 and 10,000 Pounds Sterling. One of the most recent arrests involved one Ojo Olubeng David with a Nigerian Passport, who was arrested with $34,900 at the Arrivals Hall of the airport when he arrived from Nigeria on Virgin Nigeria Airlines on May 7th, 2010.