The Ghana Immigration Service has seized 141 gallons of fuel at some unapproved routes along the Ghana-Togo border in the Ketu South District of the Volta Region.
The fuel which was loaded in yellow jerry cans was being readied for smuggling when immigration officials intercepted it on Saturday in two separate operations.
Persons behind the illegal activity however managed to escape, the Aflao Sector Command of the Ghana Immigration Service said in a statement.
The Sector Commander, Chief Superintendent Frederick Baah Doudu, said intelligence led to the discovery and seizure of the fuel from an uncompleted structure close to unapproved route along the Pilla 7 and 7B border enclave.
According to him, the said the uncompleted structure is suspected to be “a secret place used as a facilitating point for illegal cross-border activities”.
The first seizure, which was done at about 9:30 p.m. was 129 gallons while the second one, which was 12 gallons.
“Efforts made by the patrol team to arrest the suspects proved futile as they escaped into neighbouring Togo,” the statement said, noting that manhunt has been launched for the arrest of the suspects
Meanwhile the 141 gallons of fuel have since been transported to the GIS Aflao Command pending investigations and subsequent handover to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority
Chief Supt. Doudu has commended the operation team led by Assistant Insp. Sumaila Safo, ICO Anthony Bassa Denyo and ICO Wisdom Joel Adiko for their show of professionalism and hard work in foiling the suspected smuggling.
By 3news.com|Ghana