Customs seizes GH¢20.6m worth of illicit drugs and cigarettes in Tamale

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has seized a large consignment of restricted goods—including illicit cigarettes and controlled pharmaceutical substances—following an intelligence-led operation in the Northern Region.

The intercepted cargo included 450 boxes of Business Royal cigarettes (each box containing 50 packets) and five boxes of Tapentadol tablets. The estimated duty value of the seized items amounts to GH¢20.6 million.

The operation was launched after officials received intelligence on February 11, 2025, about a vehicle transporting restricted goods along the Nanton-Gushegu route. Acting swiftly, a task force from the Tamale Collection Regional Headquarters set up a checkpoint on the Gaha-Gushegu road.

During the operation, a vehicle with registration number GS 7592-13 defied orders to stop at the checkpoint, prompting a pursuit by customs officers.

Upon interception, the driver refused to disclose the contents of the vehicle, insisting that only the owner could speak to it.

The owner later arrived on a motorcycle but also declined to cooperate.

Despite resistance, customs officials impounded the vehicle and transported it to the Tamale Regional Headquarters for further examination.

Both the driver and the owner were instructed to appear on February 12 for an official inspection but failed to comply.

A thorough search conducted on February 19, 2025, confirmed the presence of highly restricted goods that require proper licensing and permits for importation.

Since neither the driver nor the owner possessed the necessary documentation, the goods were officially seized under Notice of Seizure Number 248806 on February 25, 2025.

In response to the incident, Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, Commissioner of Customs, visited the Tamale office to commend the team and assess the operation.

Speaking in an interview, he highlighted ongoing collaboration between Customs, National Security, the Narcotics Control Commission, and other agencies in fighting the inflow of illicit substances.

“We’ve made significant progress in tackling this menace, but because much of the work isn’t publicized, the public remains unaware,” he noted.

He assured that surveillance and border checks would be intensified to disrupt the operations of smuggling cartels.

The case has been transferred to the Narcotics Control Commission for further investigation. Legal proceedings are expected against those involved in the illegal transport of these restricted goods.

Despite continued enforcement efforts, the presence of illicit drugs in Ghana’s open markets remains a pressing issue. Authorities have expressed growing concern over the increasing abuse of these substances, particularly among the youth.