Ten nabbed for smuggling fuel
Ten people have been arrested by the anti-fuel smuggling
task force in the Volta Region with some quantities of petroleum products which
the task force suspected were being smuggled to Togo.
Sixty-two jelly containers and 13 motorbikes, some of which had Togolese registration numbers and others without registration numbers, were impounded in the exercise that was undertaken at entry points from south to north in the region within the last five days.
Briefing the media in Ho Friday, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Mr Alex Bedie, said smuggling was rampant across the border and many tricks were employed by the perpetrators to outwit security personnel.
He said one Sumaila Musah, a Togolese driving a Renault van with Togolese registration number GT 9O269LN, was arrested at Aflao with three compartments created underneath the vehicle for the concealment of three drums of diesel.
He said Musah was put before an Aflao court and fined GH¢600.
Mr Bedie said two other vehicles, one with Togolese registration number GT3556AG, were arrested at the Agapet Filling Station at Ave-Dzalele while they were filling their tanks with fuel intended to be smuggled outside the country.
The driver of another vehicle, with registration number GW 697X ,Tanko Issahaku, was arrested, together with the station attendant, Frederick Boateng, at the Top Filling Station in Hohoe, with the vehicle filled with 18 jelly containers and two gallons.
He appealed to the Judicial Service to fully cooperate with the task force to ensure that smugglers were punished to serve as a deterrent to others.
“This is because the smuggling of uncustomed vehicles and petroleum products through the eastern border of the country is on the increase,” he said.
Mr Bedie said motorbikes from both Togo and Ghana were used in the smuggling activities through both unapproved and approved routes.
He added that even though both countries complained about the illegal activities across their common border, the security agencies appeared to have lost control.
The registration numbers of some of the motorbikes impounded are BD6075, GN125 M-11, VR 3562, BE7839, DVLA, M-12-VR1131 and AP5201.
Story by Tim Dzamboe
