The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), along with other stakeholders, has seized a 40-foot container of opioid drugs valued GH₵20 million at the Tema Port.
The consignment, which was in transit to Niger, had not been properly declared to Customs, constituting a customs offence and warranting seizure by the state.
The product packaging did not include the name of the manufacturer and only stated on the strips that it was "Made in India."
Addressing the press at the Tema Port, Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated the government is working to prevent the use of Ghana port as a transit point for opioids.
“Inasmuch as we are interested in facilitating trade in this country, we will not allow Ghana to be a safe haven for opiods. And let me tell you that the president is personally interested in this matter. On my way here, he called me twice, and it tells you how important and critical this particular issue is.”
Authorities have pledged to tighten regulations and enhance monitoring to curb illicit drug shipments through Ghana’s ports.
The seized shipment included:
- Rahol Tapentadol 250 mg – 26 cartons
- Tafradol Tapentadol 120 mg – 160 cartons
- Timaking Tapentadol 120 mg – 40 cartons
- Loperamide 2 mg – 190 cartons
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate – 320 cartons
