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08.10.2015 Crime & Punishment

Eight arrested for attempted stowaway

By GNA
Eight arrested for attempted stowaway
08.10.2015 LISTEN

Tema, Oct. 08, GNA - The Tema Port Security on Monday night arrested eight Ghanaians who have concealed themselves in two cargo containers on board a France bound vessel in an attempt to stowaway to Europe.

The vessel was scheduled to leave the Tema Port last Monday night when the eight were discovered.

The suspected stowaways who claimed to hail from the Western Region were grouped in fours in each container when found by Port Officials.

Luck eluded them when they attempted cutting the top of the container and forced it open to get enough ventilation.

To survive the journey, the stowaways had with them a number of bottled water, sack of gari, canned fish, black polythene bags which they will defecate, milk and energy drink.

They have subsequently been handed over to the Marine Police Command for investigation and prosecution.

Colonel Timothy Bataa-Banaah, Tema Port Security Service Manager, who confirmed the incident to the media noted that each of the stowaways claimed to have paid a fee of GH¢3,200 to be smuggled into the container after they disguised themselves as casual workers.

Col Bataa-Banaah noted that the Tema Port officials have foiled attempts by some 74 people to stowaway between January and August this year, adding, however that about 10 other people managed to get through.

He indicated that Port Authorities have commenced investigations into the attempted stowaway and promised to punish any staff who aided them.

GNA

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