Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-500  

NTB Type

Other type: Police harassment and handcuffing  

Complaint

The driver got to the Police barrier and submitted his documents. The police jumped into the truck for a search and found a less than a pack of cigarette. The Police then handcuffed the driver and asked him to enter their car. This compelled the driver to report to GSA.


 

Status note

Few minutes after GSA's intervention, the driver called to confirm his release.  

Progress update note

GSA, speaking to an officer was told that there was a directive to arrest any driver found smoking a foreign cigarette. GSA probing into that statement found out that the officer could justify the claim. The Officer then passed the phone onto his superior. The latter explained that they are mesures to curb the smuggling of foreign cigarettes into the country.

GSA objected by saying that this less than half a pack of cigarettes cannot be a smuggling, talk less of warranting handcuffing an individual.

BY this intervention of GSA, the in-charge agreed to release the driver.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Ghana: Police barrier between Bamboe and Wenchi (Other)  

Reporting Country

Burkina Faso  

Reporting Town

 

Date of incident

2026-01-23  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2026-01-23  

Product Description

 

Product Originating Country

 

Total value

0  

Date reported

2026-01-23 18:00  

Modified

2026-01-23 18:02