By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, Sept. 28, GNA – The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted three firearms, 610 rounds of ammunition and other firearm-related accessories concealed among items imported into the country as personal effects.
Mrs Florence Asante, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Communication and Public Affairs, said the items were intercepted on September 25, 2026, at about 1715 hours during routine inspection and scanning.
Briefing the media in Accra on Monday, she said two Customs officers conducting the inspection discovered the items and subjected them to further examination, leading to the seizure.
The seized weapons comprised one assault rifle and two pistols, together with 610 rounds of ammunition and other firearm-related accessories.
Mrs Asante said the items had not been declared to Customs and were presented as personal effects.
The incident, she said, demonstrated the importance of the Customs Division’s intensified scanning and examination of items at Ghana’s ports of entry and exit.
“We have stepped up examination and scanning of items at the ports of entry and exit to intercept things that are brought into the country illegally,” she said.
She said the enhanced scanning regime was already yielding results, with Customs officers able to identify items that might otherwise have passed through physical examination unnoticed.
Mrs Asante urged persons importing goods into the country to properly declare all items, particularly prohibited or restricted goods.
She advised importers of restricted items to obtain the necessary licences before bringing such items into the country.
She warned that failure to declare restricted or prohibited goods could result in importers falling foul of the law.
Mrs Asante urged agents and persons importing goods on behalf of others to verify the contents of consignments before bringing them into the country.
She said importers should ensure that the goods they handled on behalf of other persons complied with Customs requirements to avoid possible breaches of the law.
Mrs Asante said the seized firearms, ammunition and related items had been handed over to the Police for further investigation and processing.
She appealed to the public and importers to cooperate with Customs and provide accurate information about goods being brought into the country to help strengthen border security.
“The Customs Division will continue its examination and scanning operations at the country’s ports to prevent the illegal importation of prohibited and restricted items,” she said.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku