Authorities at the Takoradi Port have intercepted a major shipment of illicit drugs and undeclared goods, in what officials describe as one of the largest seizures of prescription opioids in recent years.
The operation, conducted by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at Atlantic Terminal Services Limited (ATSL), uncovered 25 million tapentadol tablets—a prescription opioid not approved for use in Ghana—hidden inside two 40-foot containers imported by Maxwell Boateng. Thousands of undeclared ceiling fans were also discovered in the consignment.
Initial customs documentation declared the containers as carrying only ceiling fans. However, routine inspections by frontline officers detected unusual packaging, prompting a full examination.
During the operation, six boxes of tapentadol and two boxes of Timaking tablets were sampled and confirmed to be illicit substances. Additionally, 2,591 ceiling fans were found in excess of the amounts declared on the bills of entry.
Takoradi Sector Commander, Walter Blankson, confirmed that the containers have been placed under strict state custody at the Takoradi Collection, with 20 packets of the drugs sent to the Customs Laboratory for further testing. Investigations are ongoing, and the Commissioner of Customs is expected to issue further directives.
The operation involved collaboration with multiple agencies, including the Narcotics Control Commission, Food and Drugs Authority, National Security, and the National Intelligence Bureau.
Customs officials said the seizure underscores sustained efforts to combat the influx of illicit opioids and controlled substances, which have increasingly been smuggled into Ghana in recent years. The authorities urged importers to comply with regulations and warned that violators would face severe legal consequences.
