The Ghana Navy has successfully intercepted seven modified canoes suspected of illegal fuel bunkering along the Keta-Denu-Aflao coastline, thwarting a major maritime crime operation.
The intelligence-led patrol, conducted by a Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) on Monday, 12 January 2026, discovered the specially built canoes, locally known as “Dendes,” carrying 378 empty barrels intended for illicit fuel transport.
The perpetrators reportedly abandoned the vessels upon spotting the naval patrol, leaving the canoes to be seized and towed to the harbour.
Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, commended the naval crew for their professionalism, emphasizing the Navy’s ongoing commitment to combating illegal fuel bunkering, unlawful fishing, smuggling, and other transnational maritime crimes.
He further disclosed that additional maritime assets are being deployed under the guidance of the Chief of the Naval Staff to enhance surveillance and rapid response along the Eastern Corridor.
Commander James Dzigbordzi Agrah, ENC’s Command Operations Officer, explained that fuel syndicates typically use larger “mother vessels” at sea to offload stolen fuel to smaller canoes for smuggling to coastal landing points.
These operations lead to significant revenue losses, market contamination from adulterated fuel, and environmental damage to marine ecosystems.
Commodore Asiedu-Larbi announced strengthened initiatives, including community awareness programs, the deployment of unmanned aerial systems, and deeper collaboration with maritime stakeholders to dismantle criminal networks.
He urged coastal communities to report suspicious activities to protect national security, marine biodiversity, and Ghana’s blue economy.
