The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has seized an enormous quantity of restricted merchandise following an intelligence-led operation in Tamale in the Northern Region.
The seized gadgets consisted of 450 packing containers of Enterprise Royal Cigarettes, every containing 50 packets, and 5 packing containers of Tapentadol tablets. The estimated responsibility for each merchandise is valued at GH¢20.6 million.
Customized officers initiated operation on February 11, 2025, after receiving intelligence a couple of automobile transporting restricted gadgets alongside the Nanton to Gushegu highway. A job pressure from the Tamale Assortment Regional Headquarters established a checkpoint on the Gaha to Gushegu highway to intercept suspicious autos.
The automobile, bearing registration quantity GS 7592-13, didn’t adjust to a checkpoint cease, prompting a swift pursuit by customs officers. Upon interception, each the driving force and the subsequently arriving proprietor declined to reveal particulars in regards to the cargo.
Regardless of their non-cooperation, customs officers escorted the automobile to the Tamale Assortment Regional Headquarters for a radical inspection. The driving force and proprietor had been instructed to return for an official examination on February 12, the place they failed to seem. A subsequent search on February 19 revealed the presence of extremely restricted items requiring correct licensing and permits for importation. Missing the mandatory authorization, the products had been seized below Discover of Seizure Quantity 248806 on February 25.
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Brigadier Basic Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, Commissioner of Customs, visited the Tamale Assortment Regional Headquarters to collect firsthand info on the operation. He emphasised that collaboration amongst state businesses, together with Nationwide Safety and the Narcotics Management Fee, has been strengthened to curb the inflow of illicit medicine.
He assured the general public that, regardless of the complexity of the operations of the cartels concerned, customs will intensify surveillance at ports and borders to deal with smuggling.
The case has now been handed over to the Narcotics Management Fee for additional investigation. Authorities are anticipated to take authorized motion in opposition to these concerned within the unlawful transportation of those restricted items.
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Illicit medicine proceed to flood Ghana’s open market regardless of ongoing enforcement efforts. The rising trend of drug abuse, resembling using Tapentadol, often called ‘Purple’ among the many youth has develop into a rising concern for authorities and the general public alike.
