British actress charged in US$208 million drug smuggled from Ghana

A British actress has been charged in Australia over allegations that she attempted to import nearly A$296 million worth of methamphetamine from Ghana into the country.

The seized drugs are estimated to have a street value of US$208 million, equivalent to approximately £157 million.

Emaa Hussen, 34, was charged on Thursday, June 18, 2026, alongside an Australian couple accused of participating in a major drug-smuggling operation involving approximately 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine allegedly concealed in sacks of charcoal.

Authorities at the Narcotics Control Commission of Ghana, responsible for combating drug trafficking, have told The Herald they will investigate the matter in collaboration with their international counterparts. They revealed that a meeting is scheduled for today, at which the matter will be discussed.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) allege that the illicit consignment was shipped from Ghana and intercepted at Port Botany in Sydney after officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF) detected suspicious contents during routine inspections.

According to investigators, the bags purportedly containing charcoal were subjected to X-ray screening after Border Force officers discovered what they described as “a white crystallised substance”. Subsequent testing allegedly confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine.

Authorities estimate the seized drugs had a street value of approximately A$296 million (£157 million) and said the operation prevented an estimated 3.2 million individual drug deals from reaching Australian communities.

Hussen, who reportedly appeared as Naz in EastEnders: E20, a spin-off of the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders and later featured alongside actor Jason Statham in the 2013 film Redemption, is accused of helping to unpack the drugs after the shipment was delivered to a storage facility in Girraween, western Sydney.

Police allege that officers had been monitoring the consignment as it was transported to the facility. Investigators claim Hussen later travelled to a property in Blacktown, where she was arrested.

During searches conducted at the residence, officers reportedly recovered 32 empty bags believed to have previously contained narcotics. Electronic devices and a notebook were also seized for forensic examination.

The Australian couple, aged 30 and 32 and based in Adelaide, were charged in April over their alleged involvement in the operation. They are expected to appear in court in September.

Hussen has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to return to court in August. In a statement, Australian authorities said criminal syndicates increasingly employ sophisticated methods to conceal illicit substances.

“Criminal syndicates will go to great lengths to disguise illicit drugs, including embedding them in everyday goods like charcoal, but our highly skilled officers are trained to see beyond these attempts,” an Australian Border Force spokesperson said.

“Working closely with our law enforcement partners, the ABF will ensure that those involved in trafficking illicit drugs are detected at the border and held accountable.”

The AFP also highlighted the scale of the seizure, describing it as a significant disruption to organised crime networks operating across international borders.

“The seizure of these drugs — with an estimated street value of $296 million — has prevented a potential 3.2 million deals from reaching Australian streets and demonstrates the AFP’s ability to operate seamlessly across borders,” a police statement said.

If convicted, Hussen and her co-accused could face severe penalties under Australian drug-trafficking laws, including lengthy prison terms.

The case remains before the courts.

Methamphetamine, often called meth, crystal meth, ice, or shabu, is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.

Methamphetamine has limited legitimate medical uses. In some countries, a prescription form is occasionally used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and severe obesity when other treatments have failed.

However, most methamphetamine encountered in criminal cases is produced and distributed illegally.

Short-term effects may include increased alertness and energy, reduced appetite, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, euphoria or intense feelings of pleasure, and increased confidence and talkativeness.

Long-term or heavy use can lead to addiction and dependence, anxiety, paranoia and aggression, memory and concentration problems, severe dental problems (“meth mouth”), weight loss and malnutrition, heart and cardiovascular complications, and psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions.

Because of its high potential for abuse and serious health consequences, methamphetamine is classified as an illegal narcotic or controlled substance in most countries, with severe penalties for trafficking, possession and production.