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The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at Aflao has seized six Kia trucks containing assorted items, which were smuggled from the Republic of Togo into the country. Presently smugglers have adopted various measures to outwit authorities. Some people convey items in smaller quantities through unauthorized routes as though they purchased them for domestic use only. According to the Sector Commander of the Customs Division of GRA at Aflao, Seth Dovlo, inadequate personnel and resources was affecting the monitoring of the country�s borders. He said currently the country�s borders are porous thereby making them vulnerable, adding that the situation worsens during festive occasions when people buy more items. He said based on some intelligence the Service intensified its operations along the border which led to the seizure of six Kia trucks containing assorted items smuggled from the Republic of Togo. The items, which included cooking oil, beverages, electrical appliances, sugar and other can foods, were separately intercepted on the Dzodze � Akatsi and Dabala (Sogakope-Accra roads last Saturday evening based on a tip-off. Narrating the incident to Daily Guide, the Sector Commander disclosed that the state would have lost about GH 3800 if the items had not been intercepted. The items were hidden among empty gallons (Kufuor gallons) on board the six trucks. The galloons are said to be used to export palm oil into Togo. The seized trucks had the following registration numbers, GT 7731 X, GS 1247-11, GR 2583-10, GE 4551-10, GS 5735 Y and GR 2585-10. He said they dispatched personnel of the Preventive Mobile Unit, led by one Samuel Antwi to the area, adding that the other three trucks were intercepted at Dabala on the Accra-Sogakope road. Mr. Dovlo explained that the smugglers contract motorists and porters to transport their goods in smaller quantities through unauthorized routes to a collection point at Dodze. The trucks on the other hand pass through the Aflao border with the empty gallons. He said each truck will pay a carrier penalty of GH�1500 before they will be released while the duties on the goods with penalty have been pegged at GH�9,000. Mr. Dovlo advised Ghanaians to appreciate the importance of duties and charges to national development. One of the smugglers, Theresa Antwi, a trader resident at Adenta, said the charges were high and called on the government to do something about it.