{
  "id": 19935862,
  "title": "Customs seizes 97 bales of imitation wax prints hidden under okro powder at Techiman",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/customs-seizes-97-bales-of-imitation-wax-prints-hidden-under-okro",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-14T06:45:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "3News",
    "slug": "3news",
    "url": "https://3news.com/news/crime/customs-techiman-concealed-textiles-motorbikes"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Customs officials in Techiman intercepted a truck registered in Burkina Faso, containing 97 bales of counterfeit wax prints and 10 new Yamaha Aerox motorbikes, on November 5. The DAF XF cargo truck, identified by registration number BF2798G303, was stopped and searched by authorities. Hidden beneath a layer of okro powder and empty glass bottles, the bales of imitation wax prints amounted to 58,200 yards of fabric. The seized items were found to be uncustomed, meaning the necessary duties had not been paid, and the full examination process had not been completed. The estimated customs duty on the textile consignment alone was GH¢465,186.90. This seizure follows a recent interception of fake GTP wax prints worth GH¢20 million, with an estimated duty of GH¢465,186.90 on the textile consignment. The seized goods are covered by five Notices of Seizure, all issued on November 11, citing provisions of the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891), and describing the goods as liable to forfeiture. If no claim is filed within one calendar month, the goods may be treated as lawfully forfeited and disposed of as directed by the Commissioner. The seized items are currently held at the state warehouse at the Sunyani Regional Office, awaiting further action. This interception comes as Ghana pursues a $1 billion investment push in textiles and fashion, and as the Customs Commissioner urges officers to prioritize Ghana's interests in all their actions.",
  "summary": "Fabric bales hidden under dry okro powder and empty bottles: what Customs found in a Burkina Faso truck at Techiman.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Joy Business",
        "title": "Customs intercepts concealed textiles and 10 motorbikes at Techiman checkpoint",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/customs-intercepts-concealed-textiles-and-10-motorbikes-at-techiman",
        "published": "2026-11-13T16:05:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "Customs intercepts concealed textiles and 10 motorbikes at Techiman checkpoint",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/customs-intercepts-concealed-textiles-and-10-motorbikes-at-techiman",
        "published": "2026-11-14T03:50:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}