By News Desk
The Ghana Navy has intercepted seven modified canoes and foiled a suspected illegal fuel bunkering operation along the Keta-Denu-Aflao coastline in the Volta Region.
The operation, which occurred on Thursday 15 January 2026, was carried out by sailors onboard the Naval Ship GNS during an intelligence-led maritime security patrol.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), the Flag Officer Commanding ENC, Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, disclosed that the seized canoes, locally known as “Dendes”, contained approximately 378 empty barrels believed to be engineered for the illicit transfer of fuel at sea.
Commodore Asiedu-Larbi commended the patrol team for their vigilance and reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to tackling illegal fuel bunkering, unlawful fishing, smuggling, and other transnational maritime crimes. He further indicated that additional maritime assets are being deployed under the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, to enhance surveillance and response capabilities within the Eastern Corridor.
ENC’s Command Operations Officer, Commander James Dzigbordzi Agrah, explained that the perpetrators fled upon sighting the Navy Ship. The canoes were subsequently seized and towed to harbour for further investigation.
Commander Agrah also described the modus operandi of fuel bunkering syndicates, noting that stolen fuel is often offloaded from larger vessels at sea onto smaller canoes and later smuggled to coastal landing sites. He stated that the practice deprives the state of revenue through tax evasion, affects fuel quality on the market, and poses major environmental risks to marine ecosystems.
Commodore Asiedu-Larbi announced new measures to tighten maritime security, including expanded community sensitisation, the deployment of unmanned aerial systems, and strengthened collaboration with relevant maritime agencies.
The Ghana Navy has urged coastal residents to report suspicious movements to support national security operations and protect Ghana’s marine environment and blue economy.
