Customs foils diversion of GH¢85m worth of transit cargo

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted transit goods valued at GH¢85,306,578.33 in a major overnight enforcement operation along the Dawhenya–Tema road, officials have announced.

According to the Ghana Revenue Authority, the exercise was conducted between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and led by the Deputy Commissioner of Operations.

The operation involved the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), officers from the Tema Collection and Headquarters and the Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce of National Security.

Customs officers intercepted and secured 12 articulated trucks suspected to be part of a larger convoy of 18 trucks that had been electronically gated out of the customs system.

The trucks were declared as carrying transit goods from Akanu and destined for Niger through Kulungugu.

However, authorities said the vehicles were moving without the mandatory Customs human escort, a serious violation of Ghana’s transit procedures.

The intercepted trucks were found to be loaded with 44,055 packages of assorted goods, including edible cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti.

Customs officials indicated that the goods carry an estimated lost revenue value of GH¢85,306,578.33 while initial assessments placed the immediate revenue implications at GH¢2,619,748.81.

As part of measures to secure the cargo, 11 of the 12 trucks have been transferred to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Transit Terminal, where they are being held under strict Customs supervision with logistical support from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.

One of the trucks developed a mechanical fault during the operation. Customs officials confirmed that its contents are being safely transferred to another vehicle to ensure the integrity and security of the goods.

Preliminary investigations by Customs have established that all 18 trucks were gated out electronically, but only 12 have so far been physically intercepted. The whereabouts of the remaining six trucks remain unknown.

Officials say investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the missing vehicles, as well as to probe possible collusion, system abuse, or breaches of established procedures.

The Customs Division reiterated its commitment to protecting state revenue and maintaining the integrity of Ghana’s transit regime.

Authorities stressed that attempts to circumvent customs controls, particularly within the transit framework, pose significant risks to revenue mobilisation and trade compliance.

The GRA assured the public that further updates will be provided as investigations progress.

 

 

 

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