GRA Bust Three Companies Over $3.5M In Diversion Of Goods

Three freight companies have found themselves in the stern grips of the law for trying to swerve tax and excise duty cost of a whopping $3.5 Million.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner General of the Authority, Kofi Nti, the companies, Hendrick Shipping, Springfield Shipping, and Christerl Shipping were caught in acts of diversion of re-exportation of goods at the Akanu Border Post―obviously to swerve tax and other duty cost.

According to the GRA, the crime which could have gone undetected except for through scrutiny had been done in alliance with some officers of the Customs Division of the Authority.

“The companies diverted goods supposed to be re-exported through Togo back to Ghana with the collision of some GRA officers. The diversion has led to a revenue loss of USD $ 3,551,559.68,” the statement read.

The three companies have since been handed over to EOCO for further investigation while efforts are being made to recover the money.

They have also been blocked from transacting any more businesses on the Ghana Customs Management System (GCMS).

GRA officers who were partners in the crime have also been interdicted pending further investigation.

Lost revenue

Unscrupulous firms and individuals have over time, taken undue advantage of the porous borders and ports to divert transit goods back into the country and in the process, outwit paying the relevant import duties to the state.

In the last five years, the GRA is reported have lost an accumulated revenue of GH¢4.5 billion as a result of fraudulent practices at the nations ports and boarders.

Just last week, the Authority had announced a recovery of some GH¢3.9 million from offenders of the transit goods regulations.

The amount, which was collected between January and September this year, is an accumulation of duties and penalties charged importers and clearing agents who diverted transit goods onto the Ghanaian market.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey