The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division has intercepted 12 articulated trucks suspected to be involved in customs transit irregularities during a major overnight enforcement operation along the Dawhenya-Tema road.

The operation, conducted between 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday and 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, was led by the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, with support from the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), the National Security Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce, and enforcement officers from both the Tema Collection and the GRA Headquarters.

According to the GRA, the trucks were part of a consignment initially declared as transit goods from Akanu and destined for Niger through Kulungugu. However, the vehicles were allegedly moving without the mandatory Customs human escort, a violation of established transit procedures.

In a statement issued on February 19, 2026, the Customs Division said the exercise formed part of efforts to clamp down on activities that undermine state revenue mobilisation.

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“During the exercise, Customs successfully intercepted and secured 12 articulated trucks suspected to be part of 18 trucks that had been gated out of the system,” the Authority disclosed.

The intercepted trucks were found to be carrying 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti. The GRA indicated that the goods are valued at an estimated GH¢85,306,578.33 in lost revenue terms, with an initial assessment pegged at GH¢2,619,748.81.

Officials confirmed that 11 of the intercepted trucks have since been moved to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Transit Terminal, where they are being held under strict Customs supervision with logistical support from GPHA.

“One truck experienced a mechanical fault during the operation. Its content is currently being transferred safely to another vehicle to secure the goods,” the statement added.

Preliminary investigations revealed that all 18 trucks involved in the shipment had been electronically gated out of the Customs system, although only 12 have so far been physically intercepted.

Customs authorities have therefore launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the remaining six trucks and to determine whether any collusion or procedural breaches occurred.

The GRA assured the public of its continued commitment to protecting state revenue and enforcing compliance within the transit trade regime.

“We assure the public that the GRA-Customs Division remains fully committed to protecting the revenue, safeguarding the integrity of the transit regime, and ensuring that all attempts to undermine the state’s revenue are decisively dealt with,” the Authority stated.

MA