Customs officials at the Tema Port have intercepted a 40-foot container carrying an arsenal of weapons, including 53 pistols, 65 rounds of live ammunition, 74 magazines, and a PC holster, concealed in three suitcases.
The container, with the number MEDU4496951, was declared as holding vehicles and personal effects and arrived from the United States.
During a routine inspection on Friday, November 15, 2024, Customs officers discovered the concealed firearms and promptly notified the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Intelligence and Investigations Unit.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, November 20, Commissioner of Customs, Brigadier Zibrim Ayorrogo, confirmed the seizure and detailed the swift response by authorities.
The items, hidden among other goods in the container, were immediately seized and subjected to further examination.
The agent and the consignee’s representative present during the inspection were arrested and transferred to the Marine and Railway Police Station in Tema for further interrogation and investigation.
The discovery has heightened concerns about illegal arms trafficking through Ghana’s ports.
The Customs Division emphasized its commitment to intensifying routine inspections and collaborating with intelligence units to curb such incidents.
The seized firearms, magazines, and ammunition remain in custody as investigations continue into the origins and intended recipients of the shipment.
