The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has intercepted 45 jerrycans of petrol being smuggled into Togo.

The operation was carried out by officers from the Aflao Sector Command, led by Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Richmond Wuntah Awuni, acting on intelligence during routine patrols at Pillar 12, an unauthorized route. No arrests were made.

Assistant Commissioner of Immigration, Michael Amoako-Atta, Head of Public Affairs at GIS, stated that the interception follows a recent directive from the Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Kwame Asuah Takyi, instructing border commanders to intensify patrols amid concerns about terrorism and cross-border crimes.

He explained that the patrol team discovered the unattended jerrycans hidden in an uncompleted building, likely prepared for night transport.

Mr Amoako-Atta commended the team’s diligence and confirmed that the seized fuel has been handed over to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).

He added that surveillance in the area would continue to apprehend those responsible for the smuggling attempt.

He also urged border residents not to allow their facilities to be used for illegal activities that could compromise national security.

Fuel smuggling remains a significant challenge in Ghana’s petroleum supply chain, affecting both bulk distribution companies and consumers.

To combat this, the NPA, in collaboration with state security agencies, has intensified efforts to crack down on fuel smuggling, particularly in the Upper East and Volta regions, through periodic operations in smuggling hotspots.