The Marine Unit of the Ghana Police Service on Friday arrested 10 fishermen for allegedly evading customs checks or duties at sea.

Chief Superintendent of Police Owusu Berko, Director of the Marine, Railway and Ports Unit of the Ghana Police Service at the Takoradi Harbour, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Friday.

He said the fishermen were arrested at sea about 6.2 nautical miles from Takoradi at about 4.00 a.m.

Chief Superintendent Berko said a team of marine Policemen on their usual patrol at sea spotted a canoe with the inscription “Ketewa Bia Nsua”.

He said on board the canoe were Karikari Kwesi, master of the canoe and nine other fishermen from Apam in the Central Region.

Chief Superintendent Berko said when the canoe was searched, the Police did not find any nets but found 2,080 slabs of fish in the compartments.

He said the fish were transshipped into the canoe from an industrial vessel belonging to the Rongchen Marine Fishing Company based in Tema.

Chief Superintendent Berko said the company issued receipt for the transaction and the Fisheries Commission was invited to value the fish when the suspects were brought ashore.

He said the Police are ready to combat criminal activities and illegal fishing practices at sea.