GRA seizes 11,200 counterfeit wax prints.
The Ghana Revenue Authority’s Eastern Corridor Monitoring Team has seized 11,200 complete pieces of fake wax prints that were hidden among various goods in a 40-foot container. GRA
Additionally, the crew found and confiscated 6,000 cell phone fragments that were hidden among various items.
Following a tip, the GRA’s Customs Division agents at the Dabala checkpoint found the hidden goods.
The importers of the goods are thought to have been trying to avoid paying taxes.
Regarding the wax prints, it was discovered that the importer had only disclosed 98 complete prints out of 11,200 prints valued at GH¢1.3 million, and he had paid GH¢24,000 in duty on them in addition to the other products. GRA
Routes not authorized
Senior Revenue Officer Dari Abdallah, who is the head of the Eastern Corridor Monitoring Team, briefed reporters. He stated that the hidden shipments were found as a result of the police at the Dabala checkpoint insisting on a careful inspection of the items within the truck.
He claimed that because of the smugglers’ high degree of skill and the variety of prohibited routes they take, customs officers depend on informants to capture illegal imports. GRA
The commodities’ owner admitted that there were wax prints hidden beneath the goods as the task force of the monitoring team was removing the items from the truck for appropriate inspection.
Following the discovery, the owner of the products made an offer to pay the penalty, but it was less than the required 100%. GRA
The confiscated wax records
Emmanuel Parker, the Second-in-Command of the Aflao Collection, stated that one problem was the influx of products that were smuggled due to the large and porous borders.
He stated that customs officers were finding it difficult to stop smuggling at the border.
“We are aware that they come in as per the threshold of clearing in Africa, which is supposed to be heavy loads, so they come with small pieces, but anytime we do an arrest, we realize that there is more,” he stated.
In an effort to stop smuggling via the Eastern Corridor, he called for more logistical and customs officers to be there.
We require logistics.
Because the boundaries are wide and vulnerable, we require men.
And part of it opens when we close one side,” he remarked.
Table of Contents
About Author
