A joint taskforce led by the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) has seized three Man Diesel cargo trucks containing smuggled cooking oil at the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout in Accra.

Dr. Paul Amaning, the taskforce leader, disclosed that National Security operatives had received intelligence regarding vegetable oil being smuggled into the country from Togo.

The intercepted oil had been brought in through unapproved routes to avoid taxes and import duties.

Dr. Amaning stressed that these smuggling activities result in substantial losses to criminal syndicates attempting to bypass legal channels.

He stated that the taskforce’s goal is to ensure the sale of locally manufactured cooking oils to boost the economy and create jobs within the value chain.

He also cautioned the public, especially market women, against smuggling vegetable oil through land borders into the country.

The taskforce, along with personnel from the Customs Preventive Division, escorted the three trucks to the Airport branch for an official examination.

The owners of the seized cooking oil have been asked to provide all necessary documentation for a thorough review by the Ghana Revenue Authority—Customs Division.

The joint taskforce includes members from the TCDA, the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG), the Ghana Revenue Authority—Customs Division, and National Security.