The Northern Region, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have seized quantities of authorized goods, including illicit cigarettes and controlled pharmaceutical products following an intelligence.
The operation, which took place along the Nanton-Gushegu road on 11th February 2025, led to the seizure of 450 boxes of Business Royal Cigarettes and five boxes of Tapentadol tablets, with an estimated duty value of GH¢20.6 million.
Acting on intelligence regarding a vehicle transporting illegal goods, a customs task force set up a checkpoint on the Gaha-Gushegu road.
However, the suspect vehicle, bearing registration number GS 7592-13, failed to stop and sped past the checkpoint, prompting a swift pursuit. The vehicle was subsequently taken to the Tamale Collection Regional Headquarters for further examination. Officials summoned both the driver and the owner for an official cargo inspection the following day, but neither appeared.
Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, Commissioner of Customs, later visited the Tamale Collection Regional Headquarters to assess the situation. He underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration in tackling the smuggling of illicit goods, stating,
He stated that collaboration among state agencies, including National Security, the Narcotics Control Commission, and others, has been strengthened to curb the influx of illicit drugs.
Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah also assured the public that, despite the complexity of the operations of the cartel involved, customs will intensify surveillance at ports and borders to tackle smuggling.
The case has been handed over to the Narcotics Control Commission for further investigation. Legal action is expected to be taken against those implicated in the illegal trade, as authorities remain committed to tackling smuggling and safeguarding public health and security.
Source: citinewsroom
