CEPS intercepts 40-footer container of smuggled spare parts

A truckload of used spare parts smuggled into the country has been intercepted by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority in the Ashanti Region.

Owners of the spare parts are said to have evaded import tax of about GHC20,000, officials of the Customs Division told 3News.

The 40-footer container truck was loaded with used car batteries, steering bolts, back-axles, windscreens among other car parts.

Driver of the vehicle has been arrested while the owners have come forward to negotiate with officials of the Customs Division to pay the necessary import duties and fines before the goods are released.

Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Kwesi Ahiakpor, told 3News the truck was intercepted at their check-point at Anwhia-Nkwanta in the Bekwai Metropolis, following a tipoff. It’s not clear where the goods were headed.

He said the driver attempted to escape when he was stopped by the Rapid Deployment team of Customs who eventually arrested him together with the truck The customs division of the Ghana revenue authority in Ashanti region has intercepted a truck fully loaded with smuggled spare parts.

He said officers were yet to ascertain the entry border point through which the goods were smuggled into the country.

Last month, the Customs office in the Ashanti Region incepted two trucks loaded with smuggled wax prints with tax value of about GHC750,000.

Mr Ahiakpor said smugglers have changed their methods of operation, noting they now conceal smuggled goods in a lining compartment of long-distance buses in a bid to evade tax He warned those caught evading tax will not be spared.

He also appealed to road authorities to construct speed ramps at CEPS barriers to slow down drivers when approaching the check-point, noting it will discuourage drivers from any attempt to speed off when stopped.