THE GHANA Revenue Authority (GRA), customs division, has impounded two truckloads of assorted unaccustomed wax prints smuggled from neighbouring Togo, through Saboba in the Northern region, to Kumasi.
The two vehicles, with registration numbers GT 302H and BA 3102C, were impounded upon a tipoff and are currently being held by GRA officials in Tamale.
Briefing the media on the arrest, the Northern Regional Commander, Kweku A. Asamoahi-Twum, indicated that he received information that some persons were attempting to smuggle goods from Togo, through Saboba in the Northern region, to Kumasi.
He disclosed that some personnel who were deployed to the area to verify the authenticity of the information, confirmed the claim.
A second batch of personnel was later deployed from Yendi station and on arrival, they saw the two vehicles loaded with yam as a cover-up to beat the security.
Further checks however revealed that the contraband goods, comprising dozens of wax prints, trouser materials, assorted soft drinks and cartons of sardines, were concealed under the tubers of yam.
The two vehicles were immediately impounded and brought to Tamale, where officials offloaded the items to have a fair idea of the actual contents that were being smuggled.
Acting Assistant Commissioner, Kweku A. Asamoahi-Twum, warned that his outfit would not give the chance for people to take advantage of the Christmas festivities to smuggle goods into the country.
According to him, officials would deal with persons who were bent on robbing the state of its revenue.
Meanwhile, owners of the impounded items are yet to report to the offices of the GRA to claim ownership of the items, which have been kept at the CEPS warehouse.
According to officials, if the suspects are able to pay the duties and fines of the products, it would be released to them, indicating that CEPS was only to ensure that government did not lose revenue on imported commodities.
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