By Adnan Adams Mohammed
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted a massive consignment of undeclared Tramadol at the Tema Port, valued at a staggering street price of up to GH₵3.67 billion.
The operation has led to the arrest of nine public officers, including five Customs officials, as investigations into the breach of border security intensify.
The seizure, which occurred following intelligence received by the Preventive wing of the Customs Division, involved container number TGHU6228715. While the shipment—originating from the United Arab Emirates—was officially declared as containing household items like water kettles, blenders, and energy-saving bulbs, a physical examination revealed a much darker reality.
The Scale of the Seizure
Upon a joint re-examination on March 1, 2026, officers discovered the container was loaded with 299 cartons of Tramadol Hydrochloride. The sheer volume of the haul includes:
Total Tablets: 146,932,000
Dosages: 250mg and 225mg (well above the legal pharmaceutical limit)
Total Weight: 34,847.2 kilogrammes
The Monetary Value: A Multi-Billion Cedi Blow to Illicit Trade
The financial implications of this interception are monumental. Based on current market data for 2026, the street value of high-dosage “underground” Tramadol in West Africa ranges between GH₵10 and GH₵25 per tablet.
Public Officers Under Fire
In a swift crackdown on potential internal collusion, nine individuals have been arrested and placed under Police inquiry bail. The group includes:
Five (5) Customs officers
One (1) Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) officer
One (1) Port Security officer
One (1) Energy Commission officer
One (1) Standards Authority officer
The importer and the declarant have also been handed over to the Police to assist with ongoing investigations.
Safeguarding National Health
The GRA emphasized that this seizure is a major victory for public health and national security. High-dosage Tramadol (225mg+) is frequently abused and linked to significant health crises across the sub-region.
”GRA remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding national security, protecting public health, and preserving the integrity of Ghana’s border management systems,” the Authority stated in an official release.
The seized consignment remains under Customs control as the multi-agency investigation continues.
