The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) successfully intercepted 45 jerrycans of petrol being smuggled into Togo. The operation, led by Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Richmond Wuntah Awuni, took place along the Aflao Sector Command during routine patrols at Pillar 12, an unapproved route. Although no arrests were made, the fuel was seized and handed over to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) for further investigation.
This fuel interception follows a recent directive from Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kwame Asuah Takyi, instructing border commanders to intensify patrols due to rising terrorist threats and cross-border crimes. Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Michael Amoako-Atta commended the officers for their swift action, which prevented the fuel from being smuggled out of the country. The jerrycans were discovered in an uncompleted building, prepared for nighttime transport.
ACI Amoako-Atta assured that the GIS would continue its surveillance of the area to apprehend the culprits behind the attempted smuggling. He also issued a stern warning to border residents, urging them not to allow their properties to be used for illegal activities that could threaten national security. The intercepted petrol marks a growing concern about the impact of fuel smuggling on Ghana’s petroleum supply chain.
Fuel smuggling remains a persistent issue in Ghana, affecting both bulk distribution companies and consumers. The NPA, along with state security agencies, has ramped up efforts to combat this menace, particularly along smuggling hotspots in the Upper East and Volta regions. Periodic swoops and heightened border patrols are essential in clamping down on these illegal activities.