The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted a major consignment of illicit drugs and undeclared goods at the Atlantic Terminal Services Limited (ATSL) in Takoradi, marking one of the most significant drug seizures at the port in recent years.
The operation involved two 40-foot containers imported by an individual identified as Maxwell Boateng. Although the containers were declared as carrying ceiling fans, further inspection revealed a massive quantity of illegal pharmaceutical products concealed within the shipment.
Authorities later confirmed that the containers held 25 million tapentadol tablets, a prescription opioid that is not approved for use in Ghana.
According to a situational report sighted by JoyNews, the containers initially passed through routine documentation checks before being flagged during a physical inspection by frontline customs officers. The officers reportedly noticed unusual packaging arrangements that did not align with the declared contents, prompting heightened scrutiny.
In response to the discovery, the Takoradi Sector Commander of Customs, Walter Blankson, ordered that the containers be placed under tight surveillance to prevent any possible interference or tampering. Following this directive, the containers were fully unstuffed to allow for a comprehensive examination of their contents.
Subsequent investigations revealed that six boxes of tapentadol tablets and two boxes of Timaking tablets were sampled and tested. The samples were confirmed to be illicit substances. Further assessment established that the total quantity of tapentadol tablets in the containers amounted to approximately 25 million units, raising serious concerns about the potential public health risks had the drugs entered the local market.
Beyond the illicit drugs, customs officials also uncovered significant discrepancies in the declared merchandise. A total of 2,591 ceiling fans were found to be in excess of what had been stated on the bills of entry for the two containers, pointing to deliberate under-declaration and possible tax evasion.
The entire consignment has since been placed under state custody at the Takoradi Collection facility. Additionally, 20 packets of the seized drugs have been forwarded to the Customs Laboratory for further analysis and confirmation. Officials say investigations are ongoing, and further instructions are expected from the Commissioner of Customs as the case develops.
The successful interception was the result of coordinated efforts among several state institutions, including the Narcotics Control Commission, Food and Drugs Authority, National Security, and the National Intelligence Bureau. Their joint involvement underscores the multi-agency approach Ghana has adopted to combat drug trafficking and related crimes.
Customs officials noted that the seizure forms part of sustained nationwide efforts to curb the influx of illicit opioids, particularly tapentadol and similar substances, which have increasingly found their way into the country in recent years. Authorities warn that such drugs pose severe risks to public health and security.
The GRA has reiterated its commitment to strengthening port surveillance, intelligence-led inspections, and inter-agency collaboration to prevent Ghana from becoming a transit or destination point for illegal narcotics.
