Officials at the Tema Port have intercepted a large cache of high-strength Tramadol tablets and capsules concealed within a cargo.
The seizure, carried out by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in partnership with the Customs Division, involved two separate batches of KIMAKING-branded Tramadol—a powerful opioid often misused as a recreational drug.
Combined, the intercepted consignment contained over 500,000 units of the controlled medication.
Authorities flagged the shipment for violating multiple provisions under both the Revenue Administration Act and the Customs Act, triggering an immediate investigation and detention of the goods.
According to officials, the intercepted consignment was deliberately misdeclared in an attempt to evade regulatory scrutiny and avoid detection. The concealed nature of the shipment has heightened concerns over the growing sophistication of smuggling operations at Ghana’s busiest commercial port.
“This seizure is yet another warning that we are strengthening our border control systems to clamp down on the unlawful importation of pharmaceuticals and other contraband,” an official source within the GRA stated. “Illegal trade in drugs like Tramadol undermines public health, finances criminal networks, and must be stopped at all costs.”
Tramadol is classified as a controlled substance in Ghana due to its potential for abuse and dependency. Its importation requires special clearance and licensing from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)—requirements the seized cargo had failed to meet.
The case is now under further investigation, with possible legal action pending against the importers. Meanwhile, the GRA and Customs have reaffirmed their commitment to boosting surveillance, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency collaboration to tackle the influx of unauthorized pharmaceuticals.
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