GRA Interdicts Five Customs Officers Over Suspected Transit Cargo Violations
Officers under investigation over alleged breaches involving transit cargo bound for Niger.
- The GRA has interdicted five customs officers pending investigations into suspected breaches involving transit cargo procedures
- Officials intercepted 12 trucks from an 18-truck consignment declared for Niger,
- Authorities are examining documentation discrepancies and individual involvement
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has interdicted five customs officers as it launches an internal probe into suspected breaches of transit procedures involving a cargo consignment.
The action follows preliminary findings from an enforcement exercise connected to goods declared for transit to Niger.
According to the GRA, initial inspections uncovered irregularities in documentation and potential violations of established customs transit protocols. The ongoing investigation will establish the level of individual responsibility and any procedural breaches, with further administrative measures expected after its conclusion.
The enforcement operation, conducted between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., was led by the Deputy Commissioner for Operations. It involved the Chief Revenue Officer for Preventive at the Tema Collection, the National Security Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce, and enforcement teams from the Tema Collection and Customs Headquarters.
During the exercise, officials intercepted 12 trucks believed to be part of an 18-truck transit consignment that had been electronically cleared in the customs system. The cargo had been declared for movement from Akanu to Niger through Kulungugu.
However, the trucks were found travelling without the mandatory customs escort, contrary to Ghana’s transit regulations.
The intercepted vehicles, stopped at various locations last week while reportedly en route to landlocked countries, were transporting items including cooking oil, spaghetti, tomato paste, rice, and sugar.
The GRA stated that the investigation will determine the full circumstances, including any misconduct, and noted that additional officers may be invited to assist. Appropriate administrative action will be taken once the probe is completed.
