UK Drug Teens to appear in cout today

Two British girls charged with smuggling cocaine into the UK are due to appear in court in Ghana.

Yasemin Vatansever and Yatunde Diya, both 16, were arrested on 2 July as they tried to board a plane in Accra.

The students, from north London, who were allegedly found carrying cocaine worth £300,000, say they were set up.

On 12 July they were charged with possessing and attempting to smuggle drugs into the UK, an offence which carries a jail term of up to 10 years.

According to Fair Trials Abroad (FTA), which is representing the girls' interests, the teenagers will make a court appearance in Accra but it is likely the case will be adjourned.

Sabine Zanker, from FTA, explained that they were being tried under Ghana's Juvenile Justice Act.

This, she said, means they can only be remanded for a week at a time and their trial must be completed within six months.

Ms Zanker said: "We have every confidence in the justice system there. We believe they will be getting a fair trial."