GRA impounds smuggled goods worth GH¢3.6m in two operations

By Wisdom JONNY-NUEKPE

A joint operation by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and National Security has intercepted smuggled goods valued at GH¢3.6 million in two separate exercises conducted in Tema and Aflao.

Briefing the media in Accra yesterday, the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, said the interventions prevented the loss of significant state revenue and helped safeguard public resources.

He said four trucks carrying diverted goods — comprising 9,000 jerry cans of cooking oil — were impounded in a warehouse in Tema. The total import duty on the consignment is estimated at GH¢1.9 million.

“These items were falsely declared as transit goods with Burkina Faso listed as the destination, but in reality, they were diverted into a warehouse within the Tema enclave,” Mr. Sarpong said. “Transit goods do not attract payment of duties, hence the scheme.”

He added that tracking devices on the trucks had been deliberately disabled to avoid detection.

Aflao interception

Mr. Sarpong said a similar enforcement operation at the Aflao Collection enclave led to the seizure of multiple trucks carrying uncustomed goods, including rice, sugar, tomato paste, beverages, textiles and clothing. Estimated duties on the intercepted goods amount to approximately GH¢1.7 million.

With the goods now under GRA control for tax recovery, Mr. Sarpong said proceeds from the sale of the confiscated items would be credited directly to the State’s account. The truck owners involved will also be surcharged as a deterrent for facilitating the movement of goods without the payment of duties.

The GRA said the success of the operations underscores the strong collaboration between the Authority and national security agencies in combating smuggling.

“We assure the public, businesses and all stakeholders that the GRA will relentlessly pursue its mandate of border protection and revenue collection. We will not tolerate any attempts to circumvent the system to evade or avoid tax,” the Commissioner-General cautioned.

Update on intercepted fuel

In October this year, the GRA intercepted 540,000 litres of diverted diesel valued at GH¢2.3 million.

Mr. Sarpong disclosed that the perpetrators were penalised and the state realised GH¢4.6 million in tax revenue from the enforcement action.

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