A joint operation by National Security has led to the arrest of eight Chinese nationals and one Ghanaian in connection with the disappearance of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) containers at the Tema Port.

The arrest came after investigators traced cables, suspected to be part of the missing shipment, to an aluminum smelting facility owned by the Chinese nationals at Shai Hills.

Acting on intelligence, security operatives raided the facility, apprehending the suspects as part of ongoing efforts to unravel the case.

• Read also: We’ll launch criminal investigation into ECG’s missing containers at port – John Jinapor

This development is the latest in the investigation into the ECG container scandal, where over 1,300 containers filled with electrical cables and other essential equipment have gone missing.

The Minister of Energy, John Jinapor, earlier announced that the government will launch a criminal investigation into the incident.

He emphasised the need for a forensic probe to uncover how the containers were removed from the port and where they ended up.

“We will launch a criminal investigation into this matter, a forensic one. We ought to determine where and how those containers were taken out of the port and where they ended up. National security, the ports, clearing companies, ECG itself, and all those in the value chain will come under the radar.

• Read also: Over 1,300 ECG containers missing at Tema Port – Investigative report

"I'm sure that once we launch that criminal investigation, we'll get to the bottom of it, and the culprits will be brought to book,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister, in an interview with TV3 on Thursday, March 27, revealed that authorities have recovered 40 of the missing ECG containers at a terminal in Kpone.

He confirmed that an Indian national has been arrested in connection with the case, noting that the suspect claims to have legally acquired the containers last year.