Customs Intercepts Vehicles Carrying Suspected Indian Hemp

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has seized 119 sacks of suspected Indian hemp at Dabala, in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region. The dried leaves, concealed in bags, were intercepted while being transported to a yet-to-be-known location on a Ford transit van.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested while attempting to bolt away and investigations are underway. Acting Commissioner of the Customs Division, Alhaji Iddrisu Iddisah Seidu told journalists on Thursday that the interception was the result of an intelligence-led operation by the division’s Eastern Corridor Monitoring Task Force.

The interception of the van and the arrest made led to the discovery of another consignment kept in a thatch house as the truck transporting the items broke down,” the Customs boss explained. He added that the police are pursuing other members of the group who are currently on the run.

Large contraband seizures have become increasingly common along the border regions, a frequent route for drug trafficking. But the interception, according to the Customs boss, reflects their growing ability to interrupt drug trafficking and facilitate the prosecution of the traffickers.

“We are making drug trafficking unattractive and expensive to venture in. You will not succeed and the law will deal with you. I hope persons involved in the enterprise will desist and those considering to get involved will also think again,” Alhaji Iddrisu cautioned.

Handover to Narcotics Control

The Customs Division of the GRA handed over the suspected Indian hemp to the Narcotics Control Commission after a joint examination conducted in collaboration with the Bureau of National Investigation, National Security, Defence Intelligence and the Food and Drugs Authority. The head of the Eastern Corridor Monitoring Task Force, Abdullah Dari appealed to the public to support the fight against drug trafficking through information sharing.