GRA seizes GH¢7.9 million worth of tobacco products

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has seized a substantial quantity of illicit tobacco products valued at GH¢7,951,238.39, which were unlawfully smuggled into the country through unapproved border routes.

The GRA, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the street value of the confiscated products amounted to GH¢7,951,238.39, and none of the brands seized met the standard requirements mandated by the laws of Ghana, including graphic health warnings, the “For Sale in Ghana” inscription, and Ghana Tax Stamps.

The GRA indicated that the move to seize the products was a crucial step in its continued commitment to tackling the smuggling, importation, and sale of illicit tobacco products, which had been infiltrating the Ghanaian markets.

“All the confiscated products had been illicitly brought into Ghanaian territory

Contravening the Public Health Act, 2012, Act 851, and the Tobacco Control Regulations (TCR), 2016 (L.I. 2247).”

“Section 16 of the TCR states that a person shall not manufacture, import, export, supply, possess, or offer for sale an illicit tobacco or tobacco product”

The GRA also appealed to the public to report any information on warehouses or illicit storage locations meant for hoarding illicit tobacco products to help combat the illegal trade and safeguard the nation’s revenue, as well as protect legitimate businesses.