Ghana intercepts assault rifles, pistols and 610 rounds of ammunition being smuggled from US

The Deputy Commissioner in charge of Communications and Public Affairs at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Florence Asante, has revealed that Customs officers at the Golden Jubilee Terminal of the Tema Port have intercepted three firearms and 610 rounds of ammunition concealed among personal effects from the United States of America, according to a grpahiconline.com report.

According to the report, the seized items include an assault rifle and two pistols, which were allegedly being smuggled into Ghana without the required declaration or permits.

According to Asante, the discovery was made at about 5:15 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, when two Customs officers conducting a routine inspection subjected the consignment to further examination.

She explained that the firearms, ammunition and related accessories had not been declared to Customs and were instead concealed among goods described as personal effects.

Speaking to the press on Monday, September 28, 2026, Asante said the interception was part of intensified scanning and physical examination of consignments at Ghana's ports of entry and exit.

She said the exercise was aimed at detecting and preventing the illegal importation of prohibited and restricted items into the country.

Asante disclosed that the seized firearms and ammunition had since been handed over to the Police for further investigation and appropriate action.

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The Deputy Commissioner cautioned importers, particularly those who accept consignments on behalf of third parties, to establish the contents of the goods before bringing them into the country.

She urged importers of restricted items to obtain the necessary licences and permits and ensure that all such goods are accurately declared to Customs.

Asante further advised importers to exercise due diligence when accepting goods from other individuals to avoid unknowingly becoming involved in the illegal importation of restricted items.

“Make sure that you have a licence to import those items and make sure you declare them correctly so that you will not fall foul of the law,” she said.

She also cautioned that ignorance of the contents of a consignment may not necessarily exempt an importer from liability for breaches of the law.

Asante noted that Ghana's customs regulations classify arms and ammunition as restricted goods, requiring a permit from the Ministry of the Interior for their importation.

She added that under the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1972 (NRCD 9), as amended, firearms and ammunition cannot be imported or exported without the requisite prior authorisation.

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