The Ghana Navy has confiscated eight unregistered boats suspected of being involved in illegal fuel bunkering activities along the Western coastline.
The intelligence-led operation, code-named OPERATION DON’T COMPLAIN, was conducted on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, at the New Takoradi and Poasi landing beaches by personnel of the Western Naval Command under the leadership of the Flag Officer Commanding.
The operation also received support from personnel of the 2 Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Army.
The exercise followed credible intelligence indicating that some unregistered locally manufactured boats, popularly known as “Dendes,” were being used to facilitate the illegal transfer of fuel and petroleum products along the coastline in the New Takoradi area.
Acting swiftly on the information, naval personnel carried out coordinated operations at the identified landing beaches.
The operation was conducted in accordance with Sections 53 and 54 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2023 (Act 1146), which requires individuals or entities to obtain permits from the Fisheries Commission before constructing fishing vessels.
The Act also provides the legal framework for regulating and monitoring vessels operating within Ghana’s maritime domain.
At the conclusion of the operation, eight unregistered “Dende” boats suspected to have been used for illegal fuel bunkering were confiscated and towed to the Sekondi Naval Harbour for further action.
To ensure transparency and enhance inter-agency cooperation in addressing maritime crimes, representatives from key maritime and regulatory institutions, including the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Marine Police Unit of the Ghana Police Service, the National Petroleum Authority, and the Fisheries Commission, were invited to conduct institutional inspection of the seized boats.
The Ghana Navy reaffirms its commitment to enforcing maritime laws and combating illegal activities within Ghana’s waters.
The Navy further assures the general public that such operations will continue as part of efforts to safeguard Ghana’s maritime domain, protect marine resources, and promote lawful activities along the country’s coastline.
These efforts also contribute to protecting national revenue and to the growth and stability of Ghana’s blue economy
