
By Wisdom JONNY-NUEKPE
The Customs Preventive Unit of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted ten trucks loaded with some 540,000 litres of diesel being diverted for export.
Commissioner General-GRA Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, who made the announcement to media on Friday, explained that the enforcement and subsequent seisure happened on October 7 in collaboration with National Security.
”Based on intelligence, our team followed the trucks to the port as they were suspected to be export goods,” Mr. Sarpong revealed.
He however noted that upon arrival at the Port Tema, it was discovered that no vessel had been designated to receive the product.
According to GRA, investigations later revealed that the culprits disengaged tracking devices on the tankers and diverted them under the cover of darkness.
The trucks, instead of completing the said process, exited the port area at about 3am but were later traced to the Kpone enclave.
Arrest
Swift action by the Customs Preventive Wing and National Security operatives led to the tankers interception at Kpone.
”In accordance with sections 115(1), 118(1) and 124(1) of the Customs Act 2015 (Act891), the vehicles have since been impounded and investigations are ongoing,” the GRA boss indicated.
According to him, the state stood to lose approximately GH?2.3million in taxes and levies from this single illegal act had the operation been successful.
Recurring practice
This vice, the GRA indicates, has been a recurring practice in the past – causing significant revenue losses to the state.
Ongoing action
Over the past few months, GRA and National Security have carried out several arrests relating to oil marketing companies that have engaged in diverting petroleum products with the intention of tax evasion and circumventing due process.
The Authority says it has also commissioned a forensic audit into operations of OMCs that have been identified and individuals found culpable of tax evasion, smuggling and diversion of petroleum products will face sanctions.
“GRA will not tolerate any act that seeks to defraud the state or undermine the country’s petroleum export regime’s integrity. We are intensifying monitoring, enforcement and intelligence coordination with National Security, the NPA and other key agencies to ensure full compliance with the law,” Mr. Sarpong signalled.
Caution
He urged all licenced petroleum operators, depot managers and transporters to comply strictly with established export and tax produres, adding: “Any entity or individual found to be complicit in these revenue-damaging schemes will face the full force of the law”.
The interception, GRA noted, is a strong signal that the Authority is alert, vigilant and fully committed to protecting national revenue and supporting the country’s economic recovery agenda.
The post GRA intercepts GH¢2.3m illegal diesel diverted for export appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.
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