Police seize 100 tonnes of stolen ECG cables in major Tema bust
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has recovered more than 100 tonnes of stolen Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) service cables from a company in Tema and arrested 10 suspects after officers found 70 workers actively cutting and stripping the cables.
The Director-General of the CID, Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor, disclosed the operation at a press briefing on Monday, 9 March 2026, describing the bust as a crucial step in combating theft of national infrastructure.
The raid took place on 4 March 2026 at around 3:30 pm. It was conducted by the CID Headquarters Operations Unit in collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Energy. Acting on intelligence, officers targeted the premises of Central Company in the Kpone Industrial Area near Tema.
On arrival, officers found about 70 employees cutting ECG service cables and stripping the metal components from the insulation. The bare wires were being compressed into metal blocks, which police believe were intended for export.
COP Donkor said the volume and condition of the recovered cables indicate a sustained and systematic operation targeting ECG infrastructure.
Ten suspects were arrested in connection with the raid. The Ghanaian nationals taken into custody are Samuel Ekpe and Priscilla Pagui. The Chinese nationals, believed to hold managerial roles in the company, are Yu Xiaoting, He Jing, Xu Changju, Li Lei, Chen Jing, Zheng Ma, Wang Jian, Bin Bin, and Zheng Yiqin.
A 24-hour guard has been placed on the premises to prevent the removal of any materials while investigations continue.
COP Donkor highlighted that theft and illegal export of ECG cables have directly affected electricity supply across communities, businesses, and public institutions. On the same day as the briefing, ECG announced separate maintenance exercises in the Accra West and Accra East regions, with engineers conducting infrastructure upgrades expected to last the working day.
“The Ghana Police Service will continue working with relevant state agencies to protect national assets and bring perpetrators to justice,” COP Donkor said.
Members of the public with information on the theft of public infrastructure are urged to contact the nearest police station or call the police emergency line on 191.
