Cartons of opioids busted at Tema Port - Said to be in transit to Niger

The combined efforts of regulatory and intelligence agencies at the Tema Port have led to the interception of opioid drugs estimated at GH¢20 million supposed to be in transit to Niger. 

The shipment was intercepted following a joint inspection by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the National Security, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

The operation led to the seizure of a large consignment of opioid pharmaceuticals, including three main opioid drugs, which were laced with two regular drugs.

The busted opioid drugs included 26 cartons of tapentadol in 250-milligramme (mg) strength; 160 cartons of tafradol in 120mg strength; and 40 cartons of  tapentadol in 120mg strength.

The consignment also contained 190 cartons of chlorpheniramine maleate and 320 cartons of diazole loperamide.

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, accompanied by the Commissioner of Customs, Brig. Gen. Zibrim Ayorrogo, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority,  Dr Delese Mimi Darko, were at the Tema Port yesterday and confirmed the development, stating that investigations were ongoing to unravel the full details of the shipment and its intended recipients. 

Offence

The Chief Executive Officer of the FDA,  Dr Delese Mimi Darko, said the consignment — which was in transit to Niger — had not been properly declared to Customs, thus constituting a custom offence and warranting seizure by the state.

She said the products did not include the manufacturer's name, but only had “Made-in-India” stated on the strips.

Investigation 

Mr Akandoh said in due course, the names of the culprits, their modus operandi and their motives would be revealed.

Mr Akandoh said since Ghana was interested in facilitating trade, the nation would not allow itself to be a haven for opioids.

He said per the rules and regulations of Ghana, only two areas had been designated for the imports and exports of medication or drugs, namely the Tema Port and the Kotoka International Airport, adding that drugs were not permitted through the land borders.

"We will not allow our ports to be a transit point for illegal or unauthorised drugs," he stressed.

The minister said the government was swiftly pursuing a court order requiring the proper disposal of the seized items.

Mr Akandoh commended all the agencies for their vigilance and appealed to the public, including importers and exporters, to volunteer information that would lead to the clamping down on such illicit trade. 

Writer's email Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh