Smuggled wax prints hidden in bags of crabs intercepted

Aflao, July 24, GNA- The Anti-Smuggling Taskforce of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in Aflao has intercepted a truck near Sogakope with 1,008 wax prints concealed in raffia bags loaded with crabs.

Other wax prints were also discovered in baskets covered with discarded fishing nets to create the impression that they contained fish.

The value of the wax prints was estimated at about GH=A2160,000 (1.6 billion cedis).

Mr Jonathan Boateng, Chief Collector, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that upon a tip off that a KIA Pick up was being loaded with smuggled goods at Anyanui near Keta last Wednesday, the team went into ambush at a spot on the Keta-Dabala road. He said at about 0130 hours on Thursday, the team spotted the truck with registration number ER 6729 C carrying raffia mats, onions and raffia bags containing fish, lobster and crabs. Mr Boateng said when his men signalled the driver to stop he ignored them and instead diverted onto a rough road along the Volta River off Dabala towards Sogakope. He said amidst firing of warning shots, the vehicle was pursued until it stopped at a spot with all its occupants including the driver jumping down and absconding.

He said on examination, the wax prints were found concealed in the raffia bags covered with crabs. Mr Boateng said while on their way to Aflao, the team also intercepted at Torkor, near Denu a Togolese registered Yamaha motorbike carrying 35 pieces of wax prints towards Agbozume. He said no one had yet claimed ownership of the seized wax prints, but one Madam Peace Seglah, a Koforidua based trader has claimed ownership of part of the raffia mat, onions and lobsters on the vehicle Mr Boateng said madam Seglah claimed that she and other traders handed over their goods to the driver at Anyanui market on Wednesday while they went ahead on board another passenger vehicle to Koforidua. Madam Seglah said they were waiting for the vehicle with the goods at Koforidua when they had information that it had been intercepted with wax prints.

He said Madam Seglah's goods had since been handed over to her.