The Ho Sector Command of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), in collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Ghana Police Service, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and the Ghana National Fire Service, has successfully destroyed a substantial haul of illegal substances and unwholesome goods valued at GHC 9.2 million.
The operation, conducted in Akrofu within the Ho municipality of the Volta Region, targeted over 274 bags of Indian hemp and various unwholesome items, including expired coffee, cigarettes, and cosmetics. These items were intercepted at several border posts in the Ho collection area.
The illicit substances, concealed in fertilizer sacks and compressed into slabs, were intended to evade detection by security personnel. However, the smuggling attempt was thwarted when the security forces, acting on a tip-off, conducted thorough inspections. The smugglers abandoned their goods and vehicles and fled into the bush.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) Felicia Adoboe-Azuma, the Ho Sector Collection Commander for the GRA Customs Division, stated that the crackdown on such illegal activities began in earnest in mid-2023. She warned that residents engaging in smuggling would face legal repercussions if caught.
“The security agencies in this area remain resolute in their mission to eliminate cross-border criminal activities,” AC Adoboe-Azuma said. “We have intensified patrols along the border posts and will continue to arrest and prosecute those involved in smuggling to deter others.”
She called for continued cooperation among security agencies to combat smuggling effectively and urged leaders to reject any attempts by smugglers to offer bribes. The GRA Customs Division remains committed to working with other security bodies to ensure robust strategies against smugglers.
The operation highlights the ongoing efforts to combat illegal trade and maintain regional border security.
