Two vehicles carrying 119 bags of suspected Indian hemp were stopped by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at Dabala, in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.

The compacted dry substance, packed in bags, was detained as it was being driven to a place close to the Togo border in a Ford passenger van.

The van carrying 26 bundles of Indian hemp was stopped at Wute, close to Akatchi, in the Volta Region by the division's Eastern Corridor Monitoring Task Force.

The car was impounded after the driver was caught trying to flee.

Investigations revealed that a truck with a foreign registration was hauling some of the dried leaves that were damaged at Avadre, close to Ziope.

According to Alhaji Iddrisu Iddisah Seidu, the Eastern Corridor Monitoring Task Force of the Customs Division's acting commissioner, the interception was the product of an intelligence-led operation.

“The interception of the van and the arrest made led to the discovery of another consignment kept in a thatch house as the truck transporting the items broke down,” the Customs boss explained.

He stated that additional group members who are now evading capture are being sought after by the police.

Along the border regions, which are frequently used as a route for drug trafficking, significant amounts of contraband are being found more frequently.

However, the Customs supervisor claimed that the interception demonstrated their expanding capacity to halt drug trafficking and aid in the prosecution of the traffickers.

“We are making drug trafficking unattractive and expensive to venture in. You will not succeed and the law will deal with you. I hope persons involved in the enterprise will desist and those considering to get involved will also think again,” Alhaji Iddrisu cautioned.

The Customs Division of the GRA handed over the suspected Indian hemp to the Narcotics Control Commission after a joint examination conducted in collaboration with the Bureau of National Investigation, National Security, Defence Intelligence and the Food and Drugs Authority.

The head of the Eastern Corridor Monitoring Task Force, Abdullah Dari appealed to the public to support the fight against drug trafficking through information sharing.