Audio By Carbonatix
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority has intercepted a major consignment of illicit drugs and undeclared goods at the Atlantic Terminal Services Limited (ATSL) in Takoradi.
The seizure involved two 40-foot containers imported by one Maxwell Boateng, which were found to contain 25 million tapentadol tablets, a prescription opioid not approved for use in Ghana, alongside thousands of undeclared ceiling fans.
According to a situational report sighted by JoyNews, the containers were initially declared as carrying ceiling fans. However, routine inspection by frontline customs officers revealed unusual packaging, prompting further scrutiny.
In response, the Takoradi Sector Commander, Walter Blankson, ordered that the containers be placed under strict surveillance to prevent any tampering. The containers were subsequently fully unstuffed for a comprehensive examination.
Investigations showed that six boxes of Tapentadol and two boxes of Timaking tablets were sampled and confirmed to be illicit substances. In total, authorities established that the consignment contained 25 million tapentadol tablets.
Customs officers also discovered significant discrepancies in the declared goods. A total of 2,591 ceiling fans were found to be in excess of what was stated on the bills of entry across the two containers.
The entire consignment has been placed under state custody at the Takoradi Collection, while 20 packets of the seized drugs have been sent to the Customs Laboratory for further testing. Investigations are ongoing, and officials say further directives are expected from the Commissioner of Customs.
The operation involved multiple state agencies, including the Narcotics Control Commission, Food and Drugs Authority, National Security, and the National Intelligence Bureau.
Customs officials say the latest interception forms part of sustained efforts, in collaboration with regulatory agencies, to curb the influx of illicit opioids such as tapentadol and similar substances, which have entered the country in large quantities in recent years.
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