The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced the seizure of 53 pistols, 74 magazines, and 65 live rounds of ammunition allegedly being smuggled into Ghana in a shipment from the United States, on November 20, 2024.
The Commissioner of Customs, Brigadier General Zibrim Ayorrogo, in an engagement with the media, gave details of the operation by customs officers that led to the discovery of the pistols, magazines, and live ammunition.
He said that the smuggled guns and ammunition were concealed in a consignment of vehicles being imported into the country.
He indicated that the items were discovered during a routine examination of the container in the presence of the agent and a representative of the person the goods were being delivered to, who have now been arrested.
“On Friday, November 15, during a routine examination of the container by customs officers in the presence of the declarant and the agent, the importer’s representative at the Golden Jubilee Terminal, the customs examination team discovered 53 sidearms, 74 magazines, and 65 live rounds of ammunition concealed in three different suitcases.
“The customs examination team immediately notified the Ghana Revenue Authority Intelligence and Investigation Unit and the Preventive Unit of the Customs Division of the incident. Following the notification, personnel of the GRA Intelligence and Investigation Unit and the Customs Preventive Unit arrived at the scene and confirmed the 53 sidearms, the 74 magazines, and 65 live rounds of ammunition concealed in three different suitcases. The firearms, magazines, and ammunition were seized,” he said.
He also stated that “All other items in the container were thoroughly examined and detained for further investigations. Also, the agent and the consignee’s representative were arrested and interrogated on the seized items. The suspect was subsequently transferred to the Marine and Railway Police Station for further investigations.”
The Commissioner of Customs also explained that the guns and bullets discovered were being smuggled because they were not part of the items listed in the manifest of the cargo.
“The consignment in the container was declared as vehicles and personal effects without declaring the sidearms, magazines, and live rounds of ammunition. The non-declaration and the concealment of firearms, magazines, and live rounds of ammunition amount to smuggling and concealment of weapons, in contravention of Section 138 of the Customs Act 2015, Act 891,” he added.
BAI/AE
