Nine officers drawn from various state agencies have been arrested and placed under police investigation following the interception of a large consignment of undeclared Tramadol at Tema Port.

The suspects comprise five Customs officers, one officer from the Narcotics Control Commission, one Port Security officer, one officer from the Energy Commission and one officer from the Ghana Standards Authority.

In a statement issued on March 3, 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) said the arrests followed a major seizure by its Customs Division.

Authorities uncovered 146,932,000 tablets of Tramadol Hydrochloride (250mg and 225mg), weighing 34,547.2 kilogrammes, concealed in a container that had been declared as carrying household items. According to the GRA, the operation 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 February 20, 2026, and transferred to a Customs-controlled area in Tema for further examination.

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

However, a joint re-examination conducted by Customs officers and the Central Revenue Monitoring Team on March 1, 2026, revealed significant discrepancies. Large quantities of undeclared Tramadol tablets were discovered concealed among the listed household goods.

Following the discovery, the importer and the declarant were handed over to the police to assist with ongoing investigations. The seized consignment remains under strict Customs control.

GRA reaffirms zero tolerance

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

The Authority reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on illegal imports and the abuse of public office, noting that the case underscores the continuing threat posed by the smuggling of controlled substances.

It added that the operation highlights the importance of intelligence-led enforcement in combating illicit trade and ensuring compliance with national laws.

The GRA assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to hold those involved accountable and to protect the country’s borders from unlawful activities.