Eight arrested for engaging in illegal bunkering in Takoradi

Eight persons suspected to be engaged in illegal bunkering on the sea in Takoradi have been arrested by the Ghana Maritime Authority in collaboration with the Western Naval Command and Marine Police.

They were busted during a routine patrol on the sea to check the activities of such persons.

The eight suspects are currently in the custody of the Marine police while their boat christened “Dendey” has been sent to the anchorage at the Western Naval command.

The wooden boat with the capacity of about 55,000 to 60 000 tonnes of oil was arrested yesterday due to suspected illegal bunkering activities.

The growing activities of these illegal boats, locally called Dendeys, is becoming a menace in the Takoradi area.

Disguised as fishing boats, these massive wooden vessels, with the storage capacity of tens of thousands of litres and propelled by twin-outboard motors, go to the high seas, mostly at night where unapproved and unlicensed tanker ships dock.