Ghana Customs officials have intercepted a huge shipment of suspected illicit drugs at the Takoradi Port, uncovering an estimated 25 million tablets of opioid-based substances hidden inside imported containers, authorities said on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The seizure occurred at the Atlantic Terminal Services Limited (ATSL) facility after frontline customs officers grew suspicious of two 40-foot containers purportedly carrying ceiling fans. Upon further inspection, the containers were found to contain massive quantities of suspected Tapentadol and Timaking tablets potent prescription opioids that are not approved for use in Ghana.
Walter Blankson, Sector Commander for Takoradi Customs, said the containers were placed under tight surveillance before being fully unpacked. The operation involved a coordinated effort between the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), National Security, the National Intelligence Bureau, and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
Samples from the haul have been sent to the Customs Chemist for laboratory analysis, while the remainder of the shipment including undeclared electrical appliances has been moved to the State Warehouse in Takoradi pending further investigation.
The declarant linked to the containers, identified as Maxwell Boateng, is currently assisting authorities as they trace the ownership and intended destination of the drugs.
Officials say this latest interception underscores the importance of vigilant customs checks and interagency collaboration to curb the flow of contraband especially dangerous pharmaceuticals into the country.
Ghana is not new to large opioid seizures. In March 2025, a similar operation at Tema Port led to the seizure of opioid pharmaceuticals worth an estimated GH₵20 million, which were reportedly meant for transit abroad.
Public health experts have raised concerns in recent years about the spread of unregulated opioid drugs in West Africa, with seizures indicating that traffickers exploit trade routes through the region’s major ports.
Authorities have reiterated that only Tema Port and Kotoka International Airport are authorized entry points for pharmaceutical imports, and warned that any drugs entering through unauthorized routes will continue to be seized and investigated.
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