The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted 33 containers of scrap metal near the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) in Tema. The containers were being loaded with the scrap metals in preparation for export at the time of the interception, a statement from the authority has said. The interception of the containers followed investigations instituted into media reports that 31 containers of scrap metals and mercury were being prepared for export in contravention of the existing ban on the export of scrap metals from the country. The statement said GRA's investigations showed that there were 33 containers which were being loaded on the premises of two companies situated near the TOR and not inside the Tema Port. "Contents in the 33 containers were found in various degrees of loaded capacities," the statement, which was signed by the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Communications and Public Affairs at the GRA, Mr Francis Kofi-Andoh, said. It added that the seized items would soon be auctioned to the public. On the alleged missing of mercury at the Tema Port, the statement explained that the things in question referred to 12 cans of mercury and 13 empty cylinders that were seized from a Chinese national in 2010. On July 2, 2010, the items were duly transferred to Customs headquarters where it was detected that they were missing, the statement said. It added that after preliminary investigations by the GRA, the case was forwarded to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) for thorough and independent investigations. The BNI final report has been received by the GRA, which has implemented its recommendations by issuing sanctions, as well as put measures in place to prevent future recurrence, the statement added. It assured the general public of the authority's resolve to deal expeditiously with any wrongdoers.