Taskforce seizes 410 pieces of textile
The Anti-Textile Piracy Taskforce confiscated 410 pieces of pirated textile wax which were being smuggled into the country from Togo last Wednesday.
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The vehicle, with registration number GX 3166-14, that was carrying the items, has also been impounded by the police.
The importer, known only as Akobam, is required to prove to the Customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) that she duly paid the required taxes on the genuine textiles that were also found in the vehicle before they could be released to her.
Surveillance
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the operation, a member of the taskforce, Mr John Kwesi Amoah, explained that the taskforce mounted surveillance and impounded the vehicle at about 6.30 a.m last Wednesday upon a tip-off.
Mr Amoah said, “from September 2014 to December 2014 alone, the taskforce seized 3,500 pieces of pirated textiles, which were destroyed last week.”
He said the activities of importers and retailers who dealt in pirated textiles were worrying considering the fact that currently, 2,000 pieces of such textiles were also awaiting destruction.
Mr Amoah said the latest arrest brought to four the number of times the taskforce had confiscated pirated textiles since January this year.
Resolve
He expressed his outfit’s resolve to clamp down on both importers and retailers who dealt in pirated textiles.
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Until recently, the taskforce had concentrated its activities at market places where retailing of such textiles were done at low prices.
And since it was difficult tracing the importers, the taskforce was restricted to confronting only the retailers in the markets.
He advised the public to be wary of such pirated textiles and ensure that they got value for their money.
Mr Amoah explained for instance that, the original six-yard Da viva wax print which costs about GH¢87.61, was sold for as low as GH¢35 for the pirated ones.
He served notice that henceforth, any dealer in pirated textiles, when caught, would not only have his or her textiles seized but would be prosecuted as directed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to serve as a deterrent.
Writer’s Email: severious.dery@graphic.com.gh