The Ghana Navy has foiled a major illegal fuel bunkering operation along the Keta–Denu–Aflao coastline in the Volta Region following an intelligence-led maritime patrol on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
According to a statement by the Ghana Armed forces on Thursday January 15, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi addressing the media at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) indicated that sailors onboard a Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) intercepted seven specially modified canoes suspected to be used for illicit fuel smuggling adding that the canoes, locally referred to as “Dendes,” which are specifically engineered for fuel bunkering activities contained about 378 empty barrels, indicating their intended use for large-scale fuel smuggling at sea.
The statement added that the Command Operations Officer at the ENC, Commander James Dzigbordzi Agrah giving details of the operations explained that the fuel bunkering syndicates typically operate using large “mother vessels” stationed offshore, which offload stolen fuel onto smaller canoes for onward smuggling to coastal landing sites.
He added that the suspects fled upon sighting the naval vessel, abandoning the canoes, which were later seized and towed to the harbour.
He noted that such activities lead to significant revenue losses through tax evasion, contaminate local markets with adulterated fuel and cause environmental pollution from fuel spills, posing a threat to marine ecosystems and fish stocks.
The Ghana Navy also urged coastal communities to report suspicious maritime activities, stressing that collective vigilance is critical to safeguarding national security, protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of Ghana’s blue economy.
