Ghana Police: Counterfeit GTP Fabrics Arrest Leads to GH¢20M Seizure

• Ghana Police arrested three individuals in Adabraka, Accra, seizing GH¢20 million worth of suspected counterfeit GTP wax prints.
• The operation by the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team followed intelligence about contraband goods offloaded from two trucks.
• Officials from GTP confirmed the fabrics were counterfeit, and Ghana Customs identified fake tax stamps on the consignment.
• The suspects claimed the goods originated from Nigeria and entered Ghana via the Akanu border.
• Investigations are ongoing, with the suspects transferred to the Special Investigation Unit and the seized goods and trucks impounded.

This significant operation underscores the proactive stance of Ghanaian authorities in combating the illicit trade of counterfeit products and enforcing intellectual property rights within the nation.

The Ghana Police Service recently conducted a significant operation in Adabraka, Accra, leading to the arrest of three individuals and the confiscation of a substantial quantity of suspected counterfeit GTP wax prints. The seized fabrics are estimated to be valued at approximately GH¢20 million, marking a notable intervention against the trade of illicit goods within the capital.

This enforcement action, carried out by the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team (SOT) on Monday, November 9, 2026, was initiated following intelligence reports. Authorities received information indicating that two articulator trucks were offloading what appeared to be Ghana contraband goods at a warehouse situated off the Kojo Thompson Highway. The swift response by the SOT led to the immediate apprehension of two suspects at the scene.

The initial arrests involved Salifu Mamuda, aged 50, and Iddrisa Mohammed, aged 44, who were found at the location. A third suspect, Eric Boakye, was subsequently taken into custody as the investigation progressed. The two trucks implicated in transporting the goods, bearing registration numbers SMK-161-YH and T-28975-LA, were suspected of having brought the merchandise from Nigeria.

Further examination of the seized items confirmed their illicit nature. Officials from the textile manufacturer GTP were invited to inspect the fabrics and unequivocally declared them to be counterfeit products, complete with imitated GTP labels. This confirmation highlighted the direct infringement on intellectual property rights. Moreover, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) was also engaged, and their assessment revealed that the tax stamps affixed to the fabrics were fraudulent, indicating a clear case of customs fraud alongside the intellectual property violation. The suspects informed investigators that the goods had been transported from Nigeria, entering Ghana through the Akanu border located in the Volta Region.

This significant operation underscores the proactive stance of Ghanaian authorities in combating the illicit trade of counterfeit products and enforcing intellectual property rights within the nation. The Ghana police counterfeit GTP fabrics arrest serves as a strong signal to those involved in such activities.

Following the seizure, the entire consignment of goods has been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters for more detailed examination. Concurrently, the three arrested individuals have been handed over to the Special Investigation Unit, where they will face further questioning. The two articulator trucks used in the alleged smuggling operation have also been impounded as part of the ongoing comprehensive investigation into the network behind these Ghana contraband goods and the use of Ghana Customs fake tax stamps.

This incident signals active enforcement by Ghanaian authorities against intellectual property infringement and customs fraud, particularly concerning imported goods. Lawyers should advise clients on the importance of verifying the authenticity of products and tax stamps in their supply chains to mitigate legal and financial risks associated with counterfeit goods and contraband.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com