By Adnan Adams Mohammed
In a significant blow to maritime criminal networks, the Ghana Navy has intercepted eight vessels suspected of involvement in a large-scale illegal fuel bunkering operation along the country’s eastern coastline.
The operation, which was carried out by personnel from the Eastern Naval Command, follows a period of intensified intelligence gathering and surveillance aimed at curbing the illicit trade of petroleum products at sea.
According to naval officials, the seizure took place during a high-stakes maritime patrol designed to dismantle syndicates that have been siphoning revenue from the state and threatening the marine environment.
The Operation
Sources within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) indicate that the naval patrol team intercepted the boats several of which were specially modified for fuel transport at various points along the Keta-Denu-Aflao stretch.
The vessels, locally referred to as “Dendes” or “shadow boats,” were reportedly found with large storage tanks and pumping equipment used to transfer fuel from larger “mother vessels” anchored in deep waters.
While some of the crew members managed to flee into the mangrove-heavy shoreline upon sighting the naval ships, several suspects were apprehended and are currently assisting with investigations.
Economic and Environmental Threat
Briefing the press at the Tema Harbour, Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, emphasized the grave implications of these illegal activities.
”Illegal bunkering is not just a theft of state resources; it is an act of economic sabotage,” Commodore Asiedu-Larbi stated. “These syndicates bypass official channels, depriving the government of critical tax revenue and compromising the quality of fuel sold on the local market.”
He further warned of the environmental risks, noting that the crude methods used during mid-sea fuel transfers often lead to oil spillages. “These spills destroy our marine biodiversity and destroy the livelihoods of our law-abiding fishing communities who depend on healthy seas.”
Regional Surge in Maritime Crimes
The recent spike in illegal bunkering has been attributed to a sophisticated network of local and international actors. The Ghana Navy has recently redeployed additional assets and personnel to the Volta Region and eastern corridor to counter this trend.
This latest operation comes on the heels of a series of successful busts in January, where the Navy intercepted seven similar vessels. The persistence of these groups suggests a well-funded operation, prompting the Navy to call for closer collaboration with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and coastal residents.
Next Steps
The eight seized boats have been towed to the naval base for further forensic examination. The Ghana Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a “zero-tolerance” policy toward maritime crimes, including piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling.
Authorities are urging members of the public, particularly those in coastal towns, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious ship-to-ship transfers to the security agencies to help safeguard Ghana’s “Blue Economy.”
Investigations are ongoing to identify the financiers behind the syndicate and the origin of the illegal fuel.
