Ghana Customs officials at the Takoradi Port have intercepted a large consignment of suspected illicit drugs concealed in two 40-foot containers.
The interception followed an intelligence-led operation at the Atlantic Terminal Services Limited (ATSL) terminal.
The containers were initially declared to contain ceiling fans. However, the suspicious arrangement of the cargo prompted officers to alert their superiors.
The successful interception highlights the importance of vigilant frontline officers in safeguarding Ghana’s borders against illicit trade and its associated public health risks.
The Takoradi Sector Commander, Walter Blankson, after receiving the report ordered that the containers be placed under strict surveillance to prevent any form of interference.
The containers were subsequently fully unstuffed for thorough inspection.
The inspection was carried out with the support from multiple state agencies, including the Narcotics Control Commission, National Security, the National Intelligence Bureau, the Food and Drugs Authority, and the cargo declarant, one Maxwell Boateng.
During the operation, officials uncovered an estimated 25 million tablets of suspected illicit Tapentadol and Timaking drugs hidden among cartons of ceiling fans.
The inspection also revealed thousands of undeclared electrical appliances.
The seized tablets have since been secured and samples taken by a Customs Chemist for laboratory analysis.
The remaining items have been transferred to the State Warehouse in Takoradi, where they will be held pending further investigations.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi