BANJUL, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Gambian authorities have captured the head of nearby Guinea-Bissau's navy who escaped house arrest and fled by boat after being accused of trying to mount a coup, Gambia's presidency said on Wednesday.

Guinea-Bissau is caught up in a political crisis which has seen its parliament and government dissolved in the past week, with the attempted coup adding to instability ahead of parliamentary elections due in November.

"The government of The Gambia hereby announces the arrest in The Gambia of Rear-Admiral Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto, alleged leader of the coup plot foiled in Guinea Bissau on 6th of August," said Tenengba Jaiteh, secretary general of the Gambian presidency.

The navy chief and his orderly, Lieutenant Papis Jammeh, arrived in Gambia by sea on Monday, Jaiteh added.

It was not clear whether extradition proceedings had begun but Jaiteh said the Gambian authorities had informed the new government in Guinea-Bissau -- sworn in last weekend -- as well as the United Nations and regional body ECOWAS.

Guinea-Bissau has endured a series of political crises, punctuated by coups and war, since independence in 1974.

Analysts fear recent political uncertainty, coupled with a tide of drugs smuggled through the country, is undermining efforts to restore stability after decades of chaos.

U.N. drugs experts say the country has become a hub for international cocaine smugglers taking advantage of poor security and, analysts say, complicity of local officials to smuggle drugs to Europe. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com) (Reporting by Cian O Siochain; Writing by David Lewis; Editing by Alistair Thomson and Meg Clothier)

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