By Christiana Afua Nyarko
Accra, Jan. 16, GNA – The Ghana Navy has foiled a major illegal fuel bunkering operation along the Keta–Denu–Aflao coastline in the Volta Region.
The operation, carried out on Thursday, January 15, followed an intelligence-led maritime security patrol by sailors aboard GNS Aflao, who intercepted seven modified canoes suspected to be involved in illicit fuel bunkering.
At a press briefing at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) on Friday Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), said the specially built canoes, locally referred to as “Dendes,” contained about 378 empty barrels and were clearly designed for fuel smuggling at sea.
He commended the naval crew for their professionalism and vigilance, and reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to combating illegal fuel bunkering, unlawful fishing, smuggling and other transnational maritime crimes.
Commodore Asiedu-Larbi said under the direction of Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, the Chief of the Naval Staff, additional maritime assets were being deployed to enhance surveillance and rapid response along the Eastern Corridor.
Commander James Dzigbordzi Agrah, the ENC Command Operations Officer, explained that the canoes were seized and towed to the harbour after the suspects fled upon sighting the naval vessel.
He said fuel bunkering syndicates typically use larger “mother vessels” offshore to offload stolen fuel into smaller canoes for transportation to coastal landing sites.
“The activity results in significant revenue losses through tax evasion, pollutes the environment through fuel spills, and contaminates local markets with adulterated fuel, posing risks to marine life and public safety,” Commander Agrah said.
The FOC announced intensified countermeasures, including enhanced community sensitisation, the deployment of unmanned aerial systems, and closer collaboration with maritime stakeholders to dismantle criminal networks.
He urged coastal communities to report suspicious activities to support efforts to secure Ghana’s maritime domain, protect marine biodiversity and safeguard the country’s blue economy.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe