The Ghana Navy has conducted a series of intelligence-led anti-illegal bunkering operations along the Volta Region coastline, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of fuel and smuggling equipment.
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, a team of Ghana Navy personnel from Naval Base Nutekpor carried out a coordinated operation along the Abeliakorpe and Atokukorpe landing beaches in Aflao.
The raid, which took place between 5 a.m. and 1:40 p.m., targeted several stash houses and makeshift structures suspected of supporting illegal fuel activities.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 162 25-liter gallons and 32 200-liter barrels filled with fuel.
In a related operation on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, Ghana Navy personnel intercepted seven specially modified canoes, locally known as “Dendes,” suspected of being used for illicit bunkering along the Keta–Denu–Aflao coastline.
The canoes were found to contain 378 empty barrels engineered for the smuggling of fuel at sea.
Upon sighting the naval vessel, the suspected perpetrators fled the area. The seized canoes were subsequently towed to the Tema Harbour for further action.
The Ghana Navy reaffirmed its commitment to securing the nation’s maritime domain and called on coastal communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
Such cooperation, the Navy noted, is critical to safeguarding national security, protecting marine biodiversity, and ensuring the sustainability of Ghana’s blue economy.
