Customs uncovers 10 Yamaha motorbikes, 97 bales of fake wax prints hidden under okro powder

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted 10 new Yamaha Aerox motorbikes and 97 bales of imitation wax prints concealed beneath dry okro powder and empty glass bottles in a Burkina Faso-registered truck at the Techiman checkpoint.

The seizure was made by officers of the Customs Division on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after stopping a DAF XF cargo truck with registration number BF2798G303.

In a statement issued on Friday, November 13, 2026, the GRA said officers conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered “textile bales hidden beneath dry okro powder and empty glass bottles”.

The truck was subsequently escorted to the Sunyani Regional Office for a full examination, which uncovered “97 bales of imitation wax prints, amounting to 58,200 yards of fabric”, as well as 10 new, unpacked 155cc Yamaha Aerox motorbikes.

The Authority described the goods as “uncustomed”, explaining that the required import duties and clearance procedures had not been completed.

The estimated duty on the textile consignment is GH¢465,186.90, based on an FOB value of $52,962, together with freight, insurance, import duty, VAT and various levies and charges.

The seized items were covered by five Notices of Seizure issued on November 11, 2026, citing provisions of the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891). The notices described the goods as “liable to forfeiture”.

Some of the notices identified Sansadogo Mohammed in connection with the motorbikes, while another was addressed to “Dabil” and “Perpetual” in relation to the textile consignment.

The notices state that anyone wishing to challenge the forfeiture must submit a written claim within one calendar month. If no claim is filed, the goods may be “treated as lawfully forfeited and disposed of as directed by the Commissioner”.

The GRA said the seized items had been deposited at the Sunyani Regional Office state warehouse pending further action.

The Authority said the interception “underscores ongoing Customs enforcement against the concealment and undeclared importation of goods through inland checkpoints”.

NA/AM

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