British-Ghanaian among 11 convicted in 拢13.8 million cannabis smuggling plot into UK
Carsten Kyei, a 21-year-old British-Ghanaian, was convicted for his involvement in a scheme to smuggle cannabis valued at 拢13.8 million into the United Kingdom via Birmingham Airport. Kyei, from Newham, East London, was one of 11 couriers investigated by the National Crime Agency after Border Force officers intercepted the group in August 2024. The couriers arrived in the UK on flights from Thailand through Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, carrying 22 suitcases containing a total of 460 kilograms of cannabis. Each courier traveled with two suitcases, each holding approximately 20 kilograms of vacuum-packed cannabis hidden under clothing. The suitcases were reportedly so heavy that excess baggage charges were paid at Bangkok Airport. Investigators also found Apple AirTag trackers in eight of the suitcases, linked to the same Apple ID account. Border Force officers became suspicious after four different passengers traveled from Birmingham to Charles de Gaulle on August 9, 2024, each with two large suitcases, leading to the seizure of the drugs. Kyei and Nathan Vitorino were convicted on May 26, 2026, after a three-week trial. Lewis Ross and Bradley Lloyd pleaded guilty during the same trial. Paige Crisp, Tasia Nelson, and Jaden Ramen were convicted on August 19, 2026, following a four-week trial. Claire McCullough, Ryan Boachie, Gideon Oluwasetemi Olumoyegun, and Jamal Clarke had previously pleaded guilty. The three convicted on August 19 are scheduled for sentencing on October
