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A targeted operation by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the Northern Region has led to the seizure of a large quantity of restricted goods, including illicit cigarettes and controlled pharmaceutical products.
The intercepted items consisted of 450 boxes of Business Royal Cigarettes, each containing 50 packets, along with five boxes of Tapentadol tablets. The total estimated duty value of these goods stands at GH¢20.6 million.
Acting on intelligence received on February 11, 2025, customs officers set up a checkpoint on the Gaha-Gushegu road to intercept a suspected vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, registered GS 7592-13, refused to stop, triggering a pursuit. When the vehicle was eventually halted, the driver declined to provide information about its contents, insisting that only the owner could do so. Shortly after, the owner arrived on a motorbike but also refused to comment. Despite their resistance, officials towed the vehicle to the Tamale Collection Regional Headquarters for further inspection. The driver and owner were instructed to return for an official cargo examination on February 12 but failed to show up.
A detailed search on February 19, 2025, confirmed that the vehicle was carrying highly restricted goods that required proper permits for importation. With no valid authorization presented, the items were officially seized under Notice of Seizure Number 248806 on February 25, 2025.
During a visit to the Tamale Collection Regional Headquarters, Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, Commissioner of Customs, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to curb smuggling. “We’ve done a lot of work to combat this menace, but because we don’t publicize it, the public remains unaware,” he told Citi News. He assured that despite the complex operations of the cartels involved, authorities would strengthen surveillance at ports and borders to tackle illicit trade.
The Narcotics Control Commission has taken over the case for further investigations, with legal action expected against those responsible. The rise in illicit drug smuggling remains a pressing issue, contributing to growing concerns over drug abuse among Ghana’s youth.
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