Officers from the Preventive Unit of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division have intercepted and seized 560 units of CHANG FANG diesel engines at the Golden Jubilee Terminal in the Tema Port, in what authorities suspect to be equipment intended for illegal small-scale mining activities.

The seizure occurred during a routine cargo inspection after alert customs officers flagged the container for further examination.

Officials said the engines—powerful industrial diesel units often used to operate water pumps and dredging equipment at illegal mining sites—were concealed in a container shipment believed to be linked to unlawful mining operations across parts of the country.

The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, commended the officers for their professionalism and commitment to safeguarding the national interest.

“Some good behaviour like this from my officers is rewarding and must be recognised by Ghanaians. They chose national interest and preventive duty ahead of personal gains,” he said.

He added that a full-scale investigation has been launched to identify the importer, the clearing agents involved, and the intended destination of the seized engines.

“We will investigate the importer and the agents involved. Ghana’s ports will not be used as a gateway for equipment that fuels environmental destruction,” he stated.

According to the GRA, the interception forms part of ongoing efforts to disrupt supply chains that support illegal mining, commonly known as Galamsey, which continues to threaten Ghana’s rivers, forests, and overall ecological stability.

Meanwhile, Customs officials at Tema have intensified cargo inspection and screening processes as government agencies strengthen measures to dismantle logistics networks that facilitate illegal mining activities through the country’s ports.