18 traders arrested for smuggling

The Police Highway Patrol team has arrested 18 traders suspected to be carrying uncustomed goods in two separate operations on the Accra Aflao road.

The goods are wax prints, detergents body creams, deodorants, among other items.

The Commander of the Highway Patrol team, Superintendent Sayibu Gariba said the team arrested two men at the outskirts of Akatsi in the Volta Region while on routine snap check.

The two, Eric Mensah, 24 and Felix Gokah Kabutey, 22, had concealed 116 pieces of uncustomed wax prints suspected to have been smuggled from the Republic of Togo in eight mini traveling bags.

He said the two suspects on seeing the patrol men approached them and sought their assistance to transport the goods to Accra on their behalf for a fee “because the road is not good”.

They were immediately arrested and when the bags were searched the wax prints were found.

Supt Gariba said the team also intercepted a 207 Mercedes Benz bus with registration number GE 169 X carrying suspected assorted uncustomed goods at Dawa.

He said the goods were concealed in various items such as polythene bags, used clothing, traveling bags and cartons which were packed under the seats in the vehicle, adding that 16 passengers on the bus claimed ownership of the goods but they could not produce any document covering them.

He said the 16 passengers were arrested and the vehicle impounded.

Source: Daily Graphic