GRA Intercepts 12 Trucks, Foils GH¢85m Tax Evasion Plot

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted 12 articulated trucks in a major enforcement operation along the Dawhenya–Tema Road.

The operation, carried out between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. today, was led by the Deputy Commissioner, Operations, with support from the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), the Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce of National Security, and enforcement officers from both the Tema Collection and Customs Headquarters.

The 12 trucks are believed to be part of a consignment of 18 articulated trucks that had been electronically gated out of the Customs system as transit goods.

They were declared as goods in transit from Akanu, destined for Niger through Kulungugu. However, the trucks were intercepted while moving without the mandatory Customs human escort, in breach of Ghana’s transit procedures.

The trucks were loaded with 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti with an estimated actual tax value of about GH¢85 million.

Eleven of the intercepted trucks have been secured at the GPHA Transit Terminal under strict Customs supervision, with logistical support from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, while one truck developed a mechanical fault during the operation, and its contents are being transferred to another vehicle to safeguard the goods, the Ministry of Finance reported in a statement.

Preliminary checks confirm that all 18 trucks were electronically gated out of the system, yet only 12 have been physically secured.

The Ministry said investigations are ongoing to identify and track the six outstanding trucks.

Commending the enforcement team, the Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Ampem, said the swift action demonstrates the Government’s resolve to clamp down on transit diversion and revenue leakages.

“Investigation is ongoing to identify the six outstanding trucks,” he stated.

He further disclosed that he has directed the Commissioner-General to conclude investigations within one week.

“I have asked the Commissioner-General to conclude investigations in one week. We are tracking the two Customs officers who were involved,” he said.

The Deputy Minister underscored the gravity of the matter, stressing that the potential revenue loss is significant.

“We take these things seriously because the impact on our revenue is serious,” he added.

On his part, the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, cautioned businesses and traders to comply fully with Customs laws and procedures.

He warned that the Authority would not hesitate to apply the full rigours of the law against offenders.

“We will apply the law of confiscation. The full arms of the law will be applied,” he said, adding that the GRA would crack the whip on any individual or business found culpable of actions that deny the state much-needed revenue.

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