![Hon. Festus Keyamo SAN arrives MMIA past 11:50 p.m. Feb 23 to lead oversight of Terminal 1 fire. Joined FAAN MD & team actively managing situation. Directed morning inspection Tuesday to guide restoration & confirm safety standards. Reaffirmed focus on passenger safety. Story: [link] #KeyamoMMIA #FireIncident #FAAN](https://fullcliphq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mym-150x150.jpg "MMIA Fire: Keyamo Inspects Lagos Airport After Terminal 1 Blaze Disrupts Flights")
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division has arrested nine individuals, including five Customs officers, one Narcotics Control Commission officer, one National Security officer, one Energy Commission officer, and one Standards Authority officer, in connection with the interception of a large consignment of undeclared Tramadol at Tema Port.
The seizure, announced in a press release on March 3, 2026, involved 299 cartons containing 146,932,000 tablets of Tramadol Hydrochloride (250mg and 225mg), equivalent to 34,847.2 kilograms. The container, number TGHU622871, originated from the United Arab Emirates and was cleared under Bill of Entry 40226151187. It had been declared as containing household items including water kettles, kitchen blenders, pressing irons, energy-saving bulbs, and polypropene material.
Intelligence received by the Preventive Unit of the Customs Division on February 26, 2026, led to the detention of the container upon arrival. It was transferred to a Customs-controlled area for further examination. A joint re-examination on March 1, 2026, by Customs officers and the Central Revenue Team uncovered significant discrepancies with the declared contents. Officers discovered large quantities of concealed and undeclared Tramadol tablets hidden within the shipment.
The importer and declarant have been handed over to the Police for further investigations, while the seized consignment remains under Customs control. The GRA stated that the arrests and seizure were part of ongoing efforts to safeguard national security, protect public health, and preserve the integrity of Ghana’s revenue and border management systems.
Tramadol, a synthetic opioid used for pain relief, is classified as a controlled substance in Ghana and has been subject to strict import regulations due to widespread abuse and diversion to illicit markets. Large-scale seizures of undeclared or counterfeit Tramadol have become a recurring challenge at Ghana’s ports, often linked to smuggling networks operating from the Middle East and Asia.
The involvement of multiple public officers in the alleged concealment has raised serious concerns about internal corruption and vulnerabilities in port clearance procedures. The GRA emphasised its unwavering commitment to integrity, fairness, and service in combating such activities.
No further details on the identities of the arrested individuals or the current status of investigations have been released publicly. The case remains under active probe by Customs and Police authorities.
