Customs Monitoring Team situated along the Eastern Corridor has intercepted a significant quantity of contraband.
This haul includes 11,200 pieces of wax prints and 6,000 mobile devices, which had been illicitly brought into the country by a group of traders.
The customs officials unveiled this smuggling operation when they discovered an attempt to understate the value of these goods, effectively avoiding the associated duties and taxes.
The wax prints were confiscated at the Dabala border post in the Volta Region.
These seizures occurred during routine spot checks conducted by officers from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Regarding the wax prints, the tax evasion amounted to GH¢1.3 million.
In a separate operation at the Juapong Check Point, the 6,000 mobile phones and tablets were intercepted, and their value is currently being assessed.
Dari Abdallah, the leader of the Eastern Corridor Monitoring Team, shed light on the scale of these smuggling activities.
He revealed that the declared value of the goods entering the country was only GH¢25,000, despite containing over 11,000 concealed wax prints. This substantial inconsistency prompted customs officials to seize the goods.
Emmanuel Parker, serving as the deputy in charge at the Aflao Border Check Point, discussed the challenges confronting border officials.
He emphasised the requirement for greater resources to assist border personnel in identifying traders attempting to evade their tax obligations.
Mr. Parker further underscored the vulnerability of specific border regions, emphasising the urgent necessity for heightened patrols to address these issues.
In the meantime, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is in the process of evaluating the traders’ duty and tax evasion. This assessment will determine the penalties and outstanding duties owed as a result of this illicit activity.