An attempt to smuggle 141 gallons of fuel into neighbouring Togo has been busted by officers of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at Aflao in the Volta Region.
The smuggling was done at two separate locations at unapproved routes; “Pilla 7 and 7B” border enclave along Ghana’s boundary with Togo at about 9pm last Saturday June 13, 2020.
The Aflao Sector Commander, Chief Superintendent Frederick Baah Duodu who confirmed this said the patrol team acted after they had intelligence concerning the illegal activities of a criminal syndicate at ‘Pillar 7 and 7B’ parts of the border stretch.
The team moved in quickly to ascertain the intelligence report and curtail it accordingly.
On reaching the first location, the patrol team was able to intercept 129 yellow jerry cans of fuel which were packed in an uncompleted structure located near some of the unapproved routes close to the borderline.
The uncompleted structure is suspected to be a holding area for onward smuggling of goods out of and into Ghana. It was also suspected to be a hideout for persons who carried out other illegal cross-border activities.
At the second spot, the patrol officers discovered 12 gallons of fuel.
Unfortunately, efforts made by the patrol team to arrest the suspects proved futile as they escaped into neighbouring Togo.
The 141 gallons of fuel are presently in the custody of the GIS Aflao Command pending investigations and subsequent handover to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Meanwhile, the Aflao Command of the GIS has launched a manhunt for the arrest of the suspects.
The Sector Commander commended his men, particularly “Assist. Insp. Sumaila Safo, ICO Anthony Bassa Denyo and ICO Wisdom Joel Adiko for the show of professionalism and hard work in foiling what would have been smuggling of fuel worth thousands of Ghana Cedis.
From Fred Duodu Ho