The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced the interception of smuggled goods with an estimated tax value of GH₵3.6 million following two major enforcement operations conducted in collaboration with National Security and the military.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Acting Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong said the successful operations demonstrate strengthened efforts to curb revenue leakages and dismantle smuggling networks.
He disclosed that on November 22, four trucks carrying more than 9,000 jerry cans of cooking oil were impounded in a warehouse in Tema after the goods were fraudulently declared as transit items destined for Burkina Faso.
“The total import duties on these smuggled goods are valued at approximately GHS 1.9 million,” he revealed. The tracking devices on the trucks, he noted, “were deliberately disabled to avoid detection.”
A separate operation at Aflao also uncovered several uncustomed goods—including rice, sugar, tomato paste, beverages, textiles and clothing—either misclassified or undervalued. The duties on the items amount to an estimated GH₵1.7 million.
According to Mr. Sarpong, all confiscated goods are now under the control of GRA pending recovery of the required taxes.
“The proceeds from the sales will be credited directly into the state’s accounts,” he said, adding that truck owners involved in the diversion schemes will be surcharged.
He cautioned that smuggling undermines legitimate businesses, destroys jobs and deprives the state of vital revenue.
“If you smuggle and we arrest you, we will confiscate your goods and you will lose your capital to the State,” he warned.
Mr. Sarpong encouraged the public to support GRA’s enforcement efforts by providing information on smuggling activities.
He reminded citizens of the GRA Informant Award Scheme, which offers financial rewards to individuals who submit credible intelligence.
The Acting Commissioner-General reaffirmed that the Authority “will relentlessly pursue its mandate of border protection and revenue collection” and will not hesitate to apply sanctions against offenders.
