GRA arrests nine as Customs intercepts undeclared tramadol at Tema Port

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has arrested nine public officers over their alleged involvement in the interception of a container loaded with a massive consignment of undeclared Tramadol at the Tema Port. 

The officers, who were granted police inquiry bail, include five from the Customs Division, one from the Narcotics Control Commission, one from the Energy Commission, one Standards Authority officer, and one Port Security officer. 

A statement issued in Accra by the Authority said the arrests followed the seizure by the Customs Division of GRA of a container loaded with 299 cartons containing 146,932,000 tablets (250mg and 225mg) of undeclared Tramadol Hydrochloride, equivalent to 34,847.2 kilogrammes. 

It said the seizure was triggered by intelligence received by the Preventive wing of the Customs Division. 

“Container number TGHU6228715, cleared under Bill of Entry 40226151187, was detained on 26 February 2026 and transferred to a Customs-controlled area in Tema for further examination,” it added. 

The statement said the shipment, which originated from the United Arab Emirates, had been declared as containing household items, including water kettles, kitchen blenders, pressing irons, energy-saving bulbs and polypropylene material. 

However, a joint re-examination conducted by Customs officers and the Central Revenue Monitoring Team on March 1, 2026, uncovered significant discrepancies. 

It said in addition to some of the declared items, officers discovered large quantities of concealed and undeclared Tramadol tablets hidden within the container. 

The importer and declarant had been handed over to the police to assist with investigations, the statement said, adding that the seized consignment remains under Customs control as investigations continue. 

The statement said GRA remained unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding national security, protecting public health and preserving the integrity of Ghana’s revenue and border management systems. 

Source: GNA